Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7). Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Browns set sights on 2023 with playoff hopes bleak

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 12/12/22

Browns fans hoped quarterback Deshaun Watson's return would spark a run for the playoffs, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

However, Cleveland may not have had high expectations to begin with. The Browns "expected growing pains upon Watson's return," per the Associated Press' Tom Withers, and are focused on getting him "ready for '23" with four weeks remaining in the regular season.

#Browns expected growing pains upon Watson’s return. Team is playing long game. This season was shaped by the suspension.

Next four weeks are about him continuing to get comfortable in this offense, ready for ‘23.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 11, 2022

The Browns have dominated the series with the Bengals lately, but were put in their place Sunday in a 23-10 loss. Watson looked better in Week 14 compared to a week ago, but his struggles continued.

Watson finished with a below-average 79.1 QB rating after throwing for 276 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Cleveland's offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt understood it was going to be a process from the beginning.

"We understood that there was going to be some growing pains," Van Pelt said.

If the Browns can stay patient with Watson in hopes of him returning to his old self, they can become serious contenders. But now sitting at 5-8, the postseason looks unlikely.

With its sights set on 2023, Cleveland doesn't have much draft capital after the trade for Watson, but it appears set a QB for the foreseeable future.

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