Deshaun Watson probably came with a no-return policy.
The Browns quarterback made his debut for Cleveland late in the 2022 season, and even in a limited sample size, Watson hasn't quite reached the highs he did with the Texans. That could make some around the Browns a bit uneasy.
It's one thing to have a franchise quarterback; it's another to have a franchise quarterback on a fully guaranteed contract that has the most guaranteed money in NFL history. It's yet another thing to have a franchise quarterback who's giving you something of a poor return on investment, too.
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There's still plenty of time for Watson to turn it around and play up to his pre-Cleveland caliber. But he just hasn't shown that ability yet. In a crucial year for the Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski, they're hoping Week 1 was just a fluke as they vie for an AFC North crown.
Here's what to know about Watson's somewhat inauspicious start to his Cleveland tenure.
Deshaun Watson stats with Browns
At the highest level, Watson's numbers haven't been all bad: In seven starts, he's thrown eight touchdowns to six interceptions and 1,256 yards, helping guide the Browns to a 4-3 record dating back to the end of the 2022 season.
Digging a little bit deeper, though, Watson's numbers haven't been great. Watson has held a 77.4 passer rating with the Browns, as opposed to his 104.5 passer rating he carried with the Texans.
In fact, Watson has set some career lows with Cleveland. Here's how his limited sample size compares to some of his career numbers with Houston:
| Houston | Stat | Cleveland |
| 269.2 | YPG | 179.4 |
| 67.8 | Completion rate | 57.8 |
| 5.9 | TD rate | 4.0 |
| 2.1 | INT rate | 3.0 |
It's also worth noting that Watson had a career low PFF passing grade of 51.6 in 2023, with his single-game grade of 63.1 this season. In 2020, his last season in Houston, he posted a 91.1 passing grade, one of the best marks in the NFL.
What confuses matters a bit is that Watson has better offensive talent around him in Cleveland than he had in Houston. While he hooked up with favorite target Brandin Cooks for 1,150 receiving yards in 2020, he has not yet replicated that chemistry with Amari Cooper in Cleveland.
This is all to say: It's still early to sound the alarm bells or question whether Watson is washed. Still, Browns fans have reason to be nervous — and the rest of the AFC North has reason to rejoice.
Deshaun Watson contract details
On March 18, 2022, Watson was traded from the Texans to the Browns, and in return, he signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract. It was the most guaranteed money ever in an NFL contract.
Watson is set to make $46 million per season through the deal, which lasts through the 2027 NFL season.
Here's how Watson's contract ranks amongst NFL quarterbacks when it comes to total value:
| Rank | Player | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrick Mahomes | $450 million |
| 2 | Joe Burrow | $275 million |
| 3 | Justin Herbert | $262.5 million |
| 4 | Lamar Jackson | $260 million |
| 5 | Josh Allen | $258 million |
| 6 | Jalen Hurts | $255 million |
| 7 | Russell Wilson | $242.6 million |
| 8 | Kuler Murray | $230.5 million |
| 9 | Deshaun Watson | $230 million |
| T-10 | Dak Prescott | $160 million |
| T-10 | Daniel Jones | $160 million |
| T-10 | Matthew Stafford | $160 million |