The Cleveland Browns have endured a controversial preseason, with Deshaun Watson at the center of much of the drama. Browns fans made their feelings clear long before Watson was named QB1, repeatedly booing the quarterback during the preseason.

That frustration only intensified when Watson was eventually handed the starting job over Shedeur Sanders. Despite the negativity surrounding the decision, there is still some optimism about what Cleveland can accomplish this season.

That optimism isn't limited to the Browns themselves. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently offered a bold assessment of Cleveland's playoff chances, and his prediction comes with one major condition.

“I'm not declaring that Cleveland will make the playoffs just yet, but there's legitimate talent on both sides of the ball…If Deshaun Watson's play graduates from poor to passable, Cleveland might be in decent shape in Todd Monken's first season.”

Fowler clearly sees enough talent on the roster to make Cleveland competitive. However, Watson's performance could ultimately determine whether that talent translates into wins.

If Watson can simply be passable, the Browns could have a genuine chance to surprise people. If he struggles, though, their playoff hopes could disappear quickly.

Deshaun Watson Adds a Fresh Controversy Ahead of the New Season

Watson has now found himself at the center of another controversy. According to reports, the Browns quarterback was cited for speeding after allegedly driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone on I-480 outside Cleveland.

Watson has reportedly pleaded not guilty to the citation. The timing could hardly be worse for a quarterback already facing enormous scrutiny heading into the season.

For now, Watson needs to put the distractions aside and focus on football. If Fowler's prediction is going to become reality, the quarterback will have a major role to play.

Written by

Joseph Nithin