Browns QB Deshaun Watson shares bold claim ahead of season

Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson insisted Wednesday he's better now than he was when he earned a third career Pro Bowl nod with the Houston Texans in 2020.

"I'm not the same guy," Watson said, per Jake Trotter of ESPN. "I feel like I've improved. I've evolved to a new level. And I'm ready to be able to show that."

As shared by ESPN, Watson led the NFL in 2020 with 4,823 passing yards and an average of 8.9 yards per pass attempt. That, however, was before he sat out the 2021 campaign following an offseason trade request and before he served an 11-game suspension with the Browns last season related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. 

Watson joined the Browns via a trade from the Texans in March 2022 and ultimately made six starts for Cleveland during his first season with the organization. The 27-year-old tallied a 3-3 record and completed 58.2% of 170 pass attempts for 1,102 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. 

For the first time since September 2020, Watson will be a Week 1 starter when the Browns open the regular season with a home game against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Bengals as the favorites (-134, -2.5) to win that contest. 

Watson, who was officially named a team captain last week, sounds ready to silence any and all doubters.

"I don't want to return as the guy at Houston. I want to be better than that guy," Watson added. "I had a lot of fun, a lot of success in Houston. But I want to have that success and start something new in Cleveland."

On Wednesday, OddsChecker had the Browns at +400 odds to claim the AFC North title. The Bengals topped the list at +155, followed by the Baltimore Ravens at +240.