It's been nearly two years since Deshaun Watson last played in an NFL game (and it could be longer if he fails to win the starting job with the Browns this year). But as he tries to avoid moving to the roster fringes, he's acknowledging that he's not the same player he once was - for better or worse.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Watson said that he's different now that he's 30. He recognized that aspects of his game have likely changed due to the injuries he's suffered through the years.
“I’m different, man,” Watson said, via ProFootballTalk. “I think, ever since I’ve been here, early on bringing up Houston was cool, but I’m 30 now and I’ve had some injuries and things like that, so my game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play, and how I approach it, doesn’t change.
“So, I think the biggest thing is just going out there, playing free, and letting my instincts take over. That’s the biggest thing. Coach O’Brien (in Houston) always told me to trust my instincts, so I think that’s the biggest thing, just go out there, play free, and let the game come to you.”
Watson vs. Sanders
The good news for Watson is that he'll have a chance to make the first impression on his new coaches with the starting lineup in the Browns' first preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday.
But the second preseason game is likely going to be the "dress rehearsal" exhibition game, and that one is set to feature Shedeur Sanders as the starter.
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Sanders showed some flashes of brilliance as a rookie last year and earned the right to at least compete for the starting job under new head coach Todd Monken. But with Watson effectively uncuttable due to his massive contract, Watson has to be in the starting QB battle regardless.
The end result has been a very public quarterback battle as the two have tried to show Monken that they're the man for the job.
