Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Is "Right Where He Needs To Be"

Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski gave an update on Deshaun Watson's recovery from shoulder surgery during a media session at the NFL's annual ow

Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland is entering year three of the Deshaun Watson experiment and his recovery from shoulder surgery remains a major hurdle for the veteran signal caller to clear. The good news is things appear to be trending in the right direction for the former Texans QB.

"He's in a great place physically," Stefanski said on Monday at the NFL's annual owner's meetings. "It's beautiful out there [in LA]. He's doing a great job with his rehab. Really, it was more of a me checking in with him, and starting to develop a relationship with Ken was really the most important part."

Coming off of his season ending glenoid fracture in his throwing shoulder shoulder in 2023, Watson who is out in Los Angeles rehabbing, appears on track to begin working with the team when spring practices open up in April. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey went out to visit their star quarterback earlier this month and seemed to like what they saw in terms of his recovery.

The last time that Watson played a full season, he was one of the best players in the entire NFL. The only problem is that was nearly five years ago in 2020. Cleveland is hoping Watson can get his career back on track in 2024.

Year three in Cleveland feels like a make-or-break season for Watson and the Browns. He has shown signs of his greatness in his limited time with the franchise but has yet to be able to string consistent success together, all the while being surrounded by a roster that is ready-made to win now.

Nov 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass to / Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Watson is far enough along in his rehab that he has started throwing the football again over the last week. His first throwing session out at the UCLA training facility had a familiar face as Browns' tight end David Njoku made the trip west to workout and catch passes from the 28-year-old QB.

Under Dorsey, the Browns' offense will depend heavily on Watson getting back to that 2020 version of himself. Historically, when Dorsey's offense gets rolling on all cylinders it's because the passing game is really in sync.

Andrew Berry and the Browns front office has put the pieces in place around Watson to be successful. It is now up to him to get through this offseason healthy and start 2024 sharp and ready to take the league by storm.