BEREA, Ohio — Quarterback Deshaun Watson stated Wednesday that his confidence is again heading into his second season with the Cleveland Browns.
“I really feel actually good,” Watson stated after Cleveland’s second minicamp observe, which featured him finishing a number of spectacular passes in opposition to the staff’s protection. “The most important factor is the boldness stage, figuring out who I’m, trusting what I do, trusting the work that I put in these previous couple years to get again to this place I am in. … So, I am having fun with myself. I am having enjoyable.”
Watson was suspended 11 video games final yr for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage by committing sexual assault, as outlined by the league, in opposition to therapeutic massage therapists. Watson has settled 23 of the civil circumstances filed in opposition to him however nonetheless faces two lawsuits that stay energetic.
In six video games after the suspension, Watson ranked simply twenty sixth within the league in QBR (38.3), because the Browns went 3-3 and completed with a report of 7-10. Watson additionally sat out your entire 2021 season after requesting a commerce from the Houston Texans.
“If you happen to stopped doing one thing for therefore lengthy, you simply naturally lose that confidence as a result of you have not been taking part in at that stage,” Watson stated. “So, you neglect, your physique and your muscle reminiscence, neglect how briskly and the best way to do issues. … Every time I acquired again on the sphere final yr, I used to be constructing that confidence up. … Having this offseason and being full throttle, [the confidence has] positively have caught again up with me.”
The Browns traded for Watson final March. They despatched Houston three first-round draft picks within the commerce, then signed Watson to a five-year deal price $230 million assured, which stays essentially the most in NFL historical past.
Watson participated in Cleveland’s offseason program final yr, together with its minicamp. However halfway by means of coaching camp, he started splitting snaps with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who began the primary 11 video games whereas Watson served the suspension. Watson did not resume practising with the Browns once more till Nov. 14.
“I am fairly far forward of the place I used to be final yr,” Watson stated. “I am getting snug with the place I am in, getting snug being right here in Cleveland.”
