The last few years have been a strange odyssey for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

He sat out the 2021 season while asking the Houston Texans to trade him, and two years ago, his wish was granted as he was sent to the Cleveland Browns for six draft picks, three of which were first-rounders.

He was instantly given a five-year, $230 million contract, which drew criticism because it came around the same time he faced dozens of sexual misconduct lawsuits, which led to him being suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season.

Since he returned from that suspension, Watson simply hasn’t been the same player he was in Houston.

As a result, James Jones said on FS1’s “Speak” that Watson is under lots of pressure going into the 2024 campaign.

.@89JonesNTAF explains why Deshaun Watson has a lot of pressure on him to perform well this season. pic.twitter.com/HAsnPyP5zi

— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) May 14, 2024

In 12 total games with Cleveland, Watson has completed just 59.8 percent of his passes and thrown for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while posting a passer rating of 81.7.

It came in stark contrast to his four seasons with the Texans, during which he made the Pro Bowl three straight times and led the NFL in passing yards in 2020.

His 2023 season ended prematurely because of a shoulder injury, and as a result, Cleveland brought Joe Flacco out of mothballs.

Flacco sparked a late-season flurry that got them into the playoffs, which likely made fans and observers question Watson’s real value.

Jones said on “Speak” that if Watson doesn’t play well this coming season, he could be “out,” but one has to wonder if he would have any viable value on the trade market.

The Browns do seem to have the talent to make the playoffs and be very competitive, especially after they remained competitive despite many injuries last season, but if Watson plays poorly again, all that talent may not matter much.

The post Former Player Says 1 Veteran QB Has A Lot Of Pressure On Him This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.