As the Cleveland Browns navigate the turbulent waters of their quarterback situation, Deshaun Watson has emerged as an unlikely mentor, guiding the team’s young signal-callers through the complexities of the NFL.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
Deshaun Watson’s Mentorship Role: Guiding Cleveland’s QB Hopefuls
Sidelined by a re-aggravated Achilles injury that could keep him off the field for much, if not all, of the 2025 season, Deshaun Watson has embraced a new role: mentoring the Cleveland Browns’ quartet of quarterbacks vying for the starting job. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his own future with the team, Watson has been a steadfast presence, offering guidance and support to Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders as they navigate the intense competition.
The Rookie Duo: Gabriel and Sanders Under Watson’s Wing
While Watson’s mentorship extends to the entire quarterback room, he has taken a particular interest in the development of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. For Sanders, the 23-year-old son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Watson’s tutelage has been invaluable. ‘Deshaun has really taken me under his wing,’ Sanders acknowledged, ‘helping me grasp the intricacies of the playbook and the speed of the pro game.’ This mentorship is seen as Watson’s way of repaying Deion Sanders, who vocally supported him during his initial Achilles injury in October 2024.
The $230 Million Gamble: Watson’s Uncertain Future in Cleveland
Watson’s future in Cleveland has been shrouded in uncertainty since he re-tore his Achilles in January and underwent surgery. Two months later, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam labeled the $230 million Watson experiment a failure, stating that the club ‘took a big swing and miss’ with the former Texans quarterback. The Browns originally traded for Watson in March 2022 and signed him to a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract, a move that has yet to pay dividends due to Watson’s off-field issues and injuries.
Flacco, Pickett, and the QB Carousel: Browns’ Quarterback Conundrum
With Watson’s availability for the upcoming season in question, the Browns have assembled a diverse quarterback room. Veteran Joe Flacco was signed in April, while Kenny Pickett arrived via a March trade with the Eagles. The team also invested draft capital in Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round). This quarterback carousel has only heightened the competition and underscored the importance of Watson’s mentorship as the team seeks to identify its starter for the 2025 campaign.
Season Opener Looms: Browns’ QB Battle Heats Up
As the Cleveland Browns prepare to open the season at home against the Bengals on September 7, the quarterback battle is reaching a fever pitch. With Watson’s status uncertain, the competition between Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders has intensified, each player vying to seize the opportunity and lead the team’s offense. Amidst this chaos, Watson’s mentorship has become a stabilizing force, ensuring that regardless of who emerges as the starter, they will be well-prepared to take the reins.
Internet Reactions to Deshaun Watson’s Mentorship of Cleveland’s QBs
As Deshaun Watson takes on the unexpected role of mentoring the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback hopefuls, the internet has reacted with a mix of amusement and skepticism. While some have praised Watson’s efforts to guide the young signal-callers, including rookie Shedeur Sanders, others have questioned the appropriateness of the arrangement given Watson’s own legal issues and uncertain future with the team.
Some commenters have expressed sympathy for the Browns’ quarterback situation, with one user noting, “At least I’m not a Browns fan,” suggesting that the team’s quarterback carousel and Watson’s uncertain future have made the Browns’ plight even more challenging. Others, however, have taken a more cynical view, hinting at potential off-field issues that could arise from Watson’s mentorship role.