FOUR DAYS BEFORE the Cleveland Browns' 2024 season opener at Huntington Bank Field, Deshaun Watson was asked if he still considered himself one of the league's elite quarterbacks.
Watson, for whom Cleveland traded three first-round draft picks to the Houston Texans and guaranteed $230 million for five years in 2022, had played 12 games since the 2020 season.
He'd led the NFL in passing yards, yards per attempt and yards per completion in 2020. But, hoping to be traded, he sat out the 2021 season. During that time, he was accused by more than two dozen women of sexual assault and sexual misconduct during massage sessions -- allegations which eventually led to an 11-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy to start his Browns career in 2022.
Heading into the 2024 season, Watson's 41.9 QBR since making his Browns debut was the sixth-worst mark in the league during that span. But the quarterback was confident he could return to his status as one of the best at his position.
"Of course. No doubt," Watson answered.
Seven games into the 2024 season, Watson ruptured his right Achilles on a noncontact play in a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his season. He finished with a league-worst 23.5 QBR with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Watson's injury capped a tumultuous two months for the 29-year-old. He produced the worst statistical season of his career, failing to settle into an offense adjusted to better suit him. He went through the deaths of his father and a former college teammate. He was booed during Sunday's player introductions by home fans. All the while, his confidence on the field and status as Cleveland's starter were constantly questioned as the poor performances -- and losses -- piled up. And in September, a fresh lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2020 was filed and later settled.
In Watson's absence, the Browns will start 10-year veteran Jameis Winston at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS). Watson, scheduled for surgery on Friday, has two more years of fully guaranteed money on his deal. But the Browns' actions over the next several months could reveal what they think about his time in Cleveland. At 1-6, the franchise is trending toward a high draft pick and opportunity to select a top quarterback in the 2025 draft.
The lasting image of Watson's 2024 -- the quarterback writhing in pain on the ground and then weeping under a towel while being carted off -- ended the latest chapter of his Browns career, and another season in which he failed to capture his peak form.
"I'm disappointed that it's only X number of games that he's able to play this season," coach Kevin Stefanski said. "But I do think we know what he's about. I know what he brings to the table for this football team."
AFTER THE BROWNS' 33-17 loss to Dallas in Week 1, Watson, hunching over in a seat at his locker, slowly got dressed as he listened to Winston, one of Watson's most vocal advocates this season.
Soon after, Browns general manager Andrew Berry entered the room. He went over to Watson's locker and had a brief conversation with the quarterback. When he was done, Watson smiled at Berry, who gave him a pat on the back before leaving.
In his postgame news conference, Watson told reporters he received encouraging words from Berry and Winston. Watson's father, as well as his former Clemson teammate, Diondre Overton, had died earlier that week. It was the first time Berry had spoken to Watson since.
"It's been a long week, and [the team] gave me the opportunity to go back home, but I told them I wanted to be here with my guys," Watson said. "So it wasn't even really about football. It was really just kind of [Berry's] first time seeing me over the weekend, kind of, you know, let me know he's here with me."
Watson had one of the worst performances of his career in the game. The 8.4 QBR was the lowest of his career with at least 10 passing attempts. (He registered an 8.2 QBR against the Washington Commanders the next month). Watson was asked afterward whether the performance shook his confidence.
"Hell no," he answered. "I'll always be Deshaun Watson, regardless of whoever else says otherwise."
WATSON HELPED LEAD the Browns to their first -- and lone -- victory of the season in an 18-13 road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. His performance -- 22-of-34 passing for 186 yards and a rushing touchdown -- marked one of the better games of his Browns tenure.
"Deshaun got a game ball," Stefanski said. "I mean, he played well. He helped us win that game."
But six days before the game, a new civil lawsuit was filed in Harris County, Texas, accusing Watson of sexual assault and battery in October 2020, when he was a member of the Texans. The suit was unrelated to the two lawsuits remaining from the women who accused Watson of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
The NFL opened an investigation into the newest lawsuit but did not put Watson on the commissioner's exempt list, which allowed him to continue to play. Watson denied the allegations and said he did not know of the accusations or lawsuit until it surfaced. When asked, Stefanski said he was not previously aware of the lawsuit either and Watson would continue to start.
A month later, lawyers for both sides announced the dispute had been resolved. At the league's fall meetings last week, commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was still investigating.
DAYS AFTER A 21-15 home loss to the New York Giants in Week 3, Watson faced scrutiny over a late fourth-and-1 play in which he missed tight end Jordan Akins wide open in the flat. Watson seemed to be locked in on another pass catcher, who was covered, and was eventually sacked. Watson defended the play, saying that Akins was a "decoy" and never was supposed to get the ball. Akins, as well as offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, when asked about the play, were tightlipped about whether Watson made the correct read or not.
It was one of many times teammates and coaches declined to criticize or question Watson's play, even as metrics and film suggested he was lacking feel in the pocket and missing targets on routine plays. On multiple occasions throughout the first half of the season, teammates and coaches pointed to the Browns' issues on offense as a collective problem, not singularly tied to Watson.
IN A WEEK 4 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, cameras caught Watson on the ground at Allegiant Stadium, yelling and clapping his hands at right tackle Dawand Jones after a missed block led to a quarterback hit and errant pass.
An incensed Winston was also held back while trying to address Jones on the sideline. In the 20-16 road loss, the Browns' second straight defeat, it was one of many miscues that loomed large. On the play, wide receiver Amari Cooper had broken free from coverage downfield. But with Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson given a free path to rush Watson, the pass fell aimlessly along the sideline.
All involved later downplayed the exchange. Jones, a 2023 fourth-round pick who excelled as a rookie before tearing his right MCL, has struggled this season, and lost his starting spot weeks later.
"Just trying to be great, that's it," Watson said after the game. "We just all got to get on the same page, so we can execute and try to win and be explosive. That was it. We all knew [the play would have been a touchdown]. We've just got to execute and be on the same page to make those big plays."
IN WEEK 5 at the Washington Commanders, Watson left his teammates in the huddle and headed off the field as a bewildered Stefanski watched from the sidelines.
The Browns were trying to overcome a 24-3 third-quarter deficit and had moved the ball to the 2-yard line after recovering a fumble.
What followed was a false-start penalty, a timeout, a sack, a dropped pass in the end zone and a Watson throwaway. Then, with 12 players in the huddle on fourth down, the play clock winding down and another flag looming, Watson made his exit to the sideline.
"We had the wrong amount of people in the huddle and then at that point, we were just going to kick the field goal," Stefanski explained after a 34-13 loss.
Watson's performance against the Commanders marked the third time he registered a QBR under 10 since joining the Browns.
Cooper later defended criticism that Watson was the primary reason for the offense's struggles.
"To be honest, I don't think Deshaun is the problem at all," said Cooper, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 15. "We can all play better for him."
The day after the loss, Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen told Washington-based radio station 106.7 The Fan that he believed Watson's confidence had been shaken.
"He looks like a player who's had stuff going on above his shoulder," Allen said. "There's definitely a confidence thing going on. ... I still think he has that potential. I don't know. Football is a weird game. If mentally you're not good up top, you're not going to be confident."
When asked for a response, Watson said: "Every time I step on the field, I've just got to be able to go out there and play confident football and just go out there and do my job at the highest ability. ... When I step on the field, I am confident and I just want to go out there and just try to play the best football I can play."
Winston replaced Watson for the final drive, and for the first time all season Stefanski was asked about Watson's standing as the starting quarterback. Stefanski stood by Watson, saying he would remain in the lineup. A week later, he and Dorsey said Watson gave the Browns the best opportunity to win.
"This is not a one-person issue on offense," Stefanski said. "We have the guys. We have the coaches. We will get it fixed."
ONE DAY AFTER the loss to the Commanders, Stefanski was peppered with questions about who held the authority to bench Watson.
"I make decisions for our football team," Stefanski said, "but I obviously consult with Andrew. We talk about everything that goes on with our football team, but ultimately it's my decision."
Stefanski, though, declined to say if ownership had a say in keeping Watson as the starter.
"I wouldn't get into all the specifics," Stefanski said. "I think you guys know that we make great decisions together. I obviously talk to Andrew about everything we do. We talk to ownership about everything we do. That's just how we operate."
Multiple team sources told ESPN the decision to continue playing Watson was agreed upon throughout the organization.
But by the next week, Watson seemed out of answers for the Browns' problems. He tilted his head, looked into the distance and paused for several seconds when asked how to correct the latest mistakes in the aftermath of a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
"[Me] being the quarterback of this offense with Kevin and Ken, we have to do something a little bit -- I don't know what we have to do, but we need to do something to lock in, so we don't cost ourselves any more games," Watson said. "Because we've got to really turn this around."
AS HE ENTERED Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Browns' Week 7 game against the Bengals, Watson was met by boos from the home crowd, which were quickly followed by cheers for running back Nick Chubb, who was making his season debut after suffering a severe left knee injury in September 2023.
Ninety minutes later, Watson was in tears as he was being carted off the field with the Achilles injury. He ended the game with a 41 QBR, a season-best mark.
In the aftermath, several fans cheered the injury and booed Watson, which drew rebuke from his teammates.
"We don't boo the guys that are injured on the field, especially with the extent where the cart comes out," defensive end Myles Garrett said. "We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall."
The long-term future of the quarterback position in Cleveland remains murky. This Sunday, Winston will become the 38th quarterback to start for the franchise since 2000, most in the league.
The Browns still owe Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons. The financial implications of cutting Watson -- a record $172 million dead cap hit -- would make roster-building in 2025 difficult.
The day after Watson's injury, Stefanski avoided answering questions about his standing as the starter when healthy. It was a stark contrast from a coach who just weeks ago had championed Watson as the franchise's best option at quarterback.
"This is a tough break for him, but I know he will bounce back," Stefanski said. "He's been a great contributor to this football team, both in the locker room, on the practice field, on the game field, and we'll just support him as he rehabs from that injury."
ESPN senior writer Kalyn Kahler contributed to this report.