Does Deshaun Watson Think He'll Be Ready For Week 1?

The Browns QB discussed his progress rehabbing his shoulder this offseason and expressed confidence that he'll be ready to open the season under center.

Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) calls out play against the Ravens / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns 2024 season is all about Deshaun Watson. Step one in leading the Browns back to the playoffs though, is Watson getting healthy following shoulder surgery.

Appearing at the grand opening of Lefty's Cheesteaks, in Cleveland Heights, Cleveland's star QB told a group of fans and reporters that he expects to be ready for week one.

"Shoulders great," Watson stated. "I'll be ready Week 1 for sure."

“Shoulder is great. Be ready by week 1 for sure” #Browns QB Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/m7skSxf6G4

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) April 4, 2024

Watson has spent most of the offseason rehabbing his shoulder in Los Angeles, where he also had the initial procedure done to repair a fractured glenoid in his throwing shoulder. The 28-year-old has been following a detailed plan as he works his way back to the field, which included throwing the football for the first time last month. Browns senior vice president of health and development, Joe Sheehan was in attendance for the session as well.

Team brass including Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski have continually eluded to the fact that Watson was considered ahead of schedule in his recovery throughout the offseason. Watson cited that team of doctors who mapped out his rehabilitation plan are a major reason why he's so confident that he'll be ready to start the season. Not only does Watson expect to be ready for Week 1 though, he expects to "be better than before."

That's the Browns hope as well as they enter year three of the five-year, full-guaranteed $230 million contract they gave Watson in 2022. The signal caller is expected to be in Cleveland for the start of the team's voluntary workouts, starting April 15. He is expected to finish up some rehab in LA over the course of the next week though, before joining the team for the start of the offseason program.