BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns will open 2024 training camp with veterans reporting Tuesday at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Can quarterback Deshaun Watson rebound from injuries and on-field struggles?
Two years after the Browns traded for Watson and gave him a $230 million fully guaranteed contract, Cleveland is still awaiting play that resembles his Pro Bowl form with the Houston Texans. Watson has played in only 12 games because of his 2022 suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy and then shoulder surgery in November that forced him to miss the final 10 games of the 2023 season. Since making his debut, Watson's 41.9 QBR is the sixth-worst mark in the NFL.
Watson was limited in the offseason workout program as he continued his rehab but progressed to throwing in team drills during minicamp. General manager Andrew Berry said Watson is ahead of schedule. With offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey bringing in pass concepts better suited to Watson and the arrival of wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, there's hope that 2024 can be a breakthrough of sorts for Watson.
Most impactful offseason addition: WR Jerry Jeudy
The Browns didn't make many big changes to their roster in the offseason. However, Cleveland executed a low-cost and potentially high-reward move in trading for Jeudy. The former first-round pick has yet to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season, but the Browns were fans of his skill set when he entered the draft out of Alabama. The team is bullish on his ability to separate and be a playmaker in the passing game. With Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku coming off Pro Bowl seasons, the Browns don't need Jeudy to be a No. 1 option. But they think he'll bring much-needed explosiveness through the air.
Training camp is a success if ... Watson is at full participation and showing comfort in the new offense.
For much of the offseason workout program, Watson threw every other day with rest days in between. The final minicamp practice was an encouraging sign, though, as he had his most aggressive throwing session in an open practice.
The Browns expect Watson to be ready for the regular season, but training camp is vital for his progression in the new offense, especially since he didn't get many on-field reps with top receivers Cooper and Jeudy. Cooper skipped workouts because of a contract dispute, and Jeudy was held out of minicamp because of an injury. Watson has said it's a matter of time and reps for him to get back to a high level of play, and training camp is the prime period for that.
The Nick Chubb situation: The biggest mystery surrounding the Browns is the status of Chubb, who sustained a serious knee injury last September that sidelined him for the rest of the season and required a pair of surgeries. Chubb did not participate in the offseason workout program and said there is no timeline for his return, but the team has been pleased with his rehab. Social media videos of Chubb working out and squatting hundreds of pounds just eight months removed from his second surgery have only added to the intrigue with one of the best running backs in the NFL.
The Browns will have to decide on placing Chubb on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of training camp, which would prohibit him from practicing. The team expects Chubb to return at some point this season, it's just a matter of when.