And the quarterback wheel keeps turning for the Cleveland Browns. Just as they started to see glimpses of the old Deshaun Watson in three straight full starts, their $230 million quarterback has now suffered a significant setback, breaking a bone in his shoulder that will sideline him for the rest of the 2023 season.
The Browns will now look for a third quarterback to add to the roster, will give fifth round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson another opportunity at the starting job this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and hope to ride their elite defense deep into the season. Sitting with an 81 percent chance to make the playoffs after their win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns may now need a miracle to continue to stack wins.
After the disheartening news broke, Browns Twitter can always be relied upon to be level-headed and sane. Here is how the Cleveland faithful reacted as Watson’s season came to an end.
Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending surgery on a broken bone in his throwing shoulder. pic.twitter.com/W79ku2xzND
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 15, 2023
You can say a lot of Deshaun Watson and the entire situation, but one thing is for certain: dude is as tough as they come and wants to win for this franchise. https://t.co/rPTvihTl0E
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) November 15, 2023
Another day when people irrationally panic about Watson’s contract
The #Browns are fine in 2024 for cap space & beyond!
I have them with an additional $44.5m of cash to spend next offseason!
Give this a read, it’s always my pinned tweet 👇https://t.co/wetdbHVKEW
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) November 15, 2023
People keep saying “I know this is hindsight but…” it’s not even hindsight. We were all screaming at the time that we needed a viable backup. Even if Watson got healthy you need a viable backup. Malpractice not to get one. https://t.co/embjzpZJs5
— Blake Weiner, Esq. (@blakeweinerlaw) November 15, 2023
The #Browns are without Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb for the rest of the season this franchise has the worst luck.
I never want to hear about any other franchise complaining about having bad luck or a bad season.
The Cleveland Browns are the most unlucky franchise in…
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) November 15, 2023
Browns announce Deshaun Watson out for the season pic.twitter.com/0Ct6pOayBl
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) November 15, 2023
It's fair game to criticize the Browns for not getting Brissett or Dobbs, imo.
Watson was injured at the time and has been perpetually banged up. You can say they weren't winning the Super Bowl with either, but Eagles fans probably said the same thing about Nick Foles in 2017.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) November 15, 2023
Deshaun Watson
Nick Chubb
Jack Conklin
Jakeem Grant
Jacob PhillipsAnother snake-bitten season in Cleveland after the biggest regular-season win in 25 years.#Browns
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) November 15, 2023
The reality of this situation is that next fall Deshaun Watson is going to have played 12 total games in three years before having a major shoulder surgery. The chances of him ever being really good again are incredibly slim.
— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) November 15, 2023
Don’t tell me Watson doesn’t want to play. Don’t question his toughness. He broke his shoulder in the 1st quarter and played through it and lead us to victory. Heal up @deshaunwatson. #DawgPound
— Zach D (@ZachNoah52) November 15, 2023
Obviously nobody on earth could’ve predicted Watson would go down the way he did after playing well, but this was exactly why I wanted an upgrade at back up QB at the deadline #Browns
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) November 15, 2023
So you’re telling me Deshaun Watson went perfect on a completely broken shoulder at Baltimore?
Sick. Sad. Mad. Upset. Frustrated.
I just can’t even comprehend what’s happening right now.
— Grant Puskar (@grant_puskar_) November 15, 2023
Cam Newton did say he would backup Deshaun Watson earlier this year…#DawgPound @CameronNewton
— Blake McCoy (@rbm__23) November 15, 2023
Deshaun Watson was incredible in the second half on Sunday but the “I knew it” crowd is insufferable. Let’s see the success continue. #Browns #DawgPound
— Craig Fountain (@CraigAFountain) November 15, 2023
Watson having his best half of football with the #Browns while having a broken shoulder is wild.
— Brandon Little (@BrandonLittleBL) November 15, 2023
I feel for you, #Browns fans. I really do.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 15, 2023
Wanna win your 8th and biggest Super Bowl @TomBrady? #Browns
— Sir Yacht (@SirYacht_) November 15, 2023
I think you'll see a much different DTR on Sunday. no idea what's in store the rest of the season in terms of his play, but that game against Baltimore was not representative of what he can be as a QB
— Jordan Zirm (@JordanZirm) November 15, 2023
The Browns decision to start DTR is 100% the right move this Sunday..
He’s gotten practice with the 1’s after his first start and he will continue to this week. Let’s see what the rookie can do#DawgPound
— Cory (@coryskuza) November 15, 2023
Maybe I'm naive, but I think the glimmers we saw from DTR in the preseason are real and he can still be a good NFL quarterback.
He's going to be ready for this challenge on Sunday.
I believe. https://t.co/g24hKUsV7A
— Andrew Spayde (@AndrewSpayde) November 15, 2023
DTR getting first team reps and a gameplan written for him this week has to help his level of play. Obviously will still be a tall task for him but if he wins and looks good that’ll be incredible https://t.co/BfPSbSHH86
— Relle (@__Relle__) November 15, 2023
PJs bad play got overlooked because we won games with him, which yes, is what really matters. But there is absolutely a chance that DTR is a better quarterback than PJ and gives us a better chance to win games the rest of the way.
— J Cle (@_JCle_) November 15, 2023
His play this season was really starting to come together, comfortably top half & with this defense, Super Bowl competitor was on the cards!
While this sets the team up really well for the future, it sucks for 2023.
Time to ride the DTR train for me, let’s see what he’s got 🤞 https://t.co/mulAHZH7PC
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) November 15, 2023
Does DTR pull off a Brock Purdy run?
— Viva Las Vegan, Baby Deliverer, group chat villain (@BeLikeMike_06) November 15, 2023
Every single Browns fan wants DTR to do well. Hes no where near perfect but if they can get Brock Purdy production from him like SF did last year then that would be huge. What I mean is really limit turn overs and own the short to intermediate levels (somewhere like a 8.0 YPA).
— Neil the Irish Browns fan (@greenbrownsfan) November 15, 2023
Brother, I’ve just got one thing to say. @DoriansTweets pic.twitter.com/uD2ZDVLfXZ
— Colb (@___Colb___) November 15, 2023
