BEREA, Ohio — We're just over a week away from the start of Cleveland Browns training camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and quarterback Deshaun Watson is continuing to progress from shoulder surgery.
"I'm great," Watson told reporters Wednesday. "I'm in a great state."
Watson was at Berea-Midpark High School to host his foundation's second annual 7-on-7 high school football tournament. The 28-year-old called the opportunity "a blessing."
"I use these opportunities to be able to give back advice, give these kids opportunities that, back when I was in high school down in Georgia, this is the type of [day] that we would spend most of our time at," Watson said. "I want to continue to do that the rest of my career."
As for the 11-on-11 game and his own team, much of the attention this offseason has surrounded Watson's recovery from a broken shoulder that limited him to just six games in 2023. Meanwhile, he watched as a host of other quarterbacks (notably veteran Joe Flacco) helped lead Cleveland to the playoffs.
Still, most believe the Browns can only reach their true peak with elite play under center and Watson says "there haven't been any setbacks" in his rehab. He's focused on "being the best Deshaun Watson can be to help this team win," and claims he isn't listening to the doubters.
"I don't care about other people's opinions," he declared. "That's never been my motto. Nobody else's opinion's [ever] dictated my career. I'm right here because of the people that I have in my support group, and not other people's opinions and what they think about me on and off the field."
Besides Watson's shoulder, more recent Browns chatter has surrounded Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper, who was absent from mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute. Watson declined to comment on the holdout specifically, but confirmed he had spoken with Cooper and that "he knows that we love him and we want him back."
"Amari's always been there. We know what he can do," Watson said of his on-field and personal connection with his top target. "The brotherhood, the love, the communication — none of that stuff has missed a beat at all."
One person who has been in the building is star running back Nick Chubb, who was recently filmed squatting 540 pounds as he continues his own recovery from a devastating knee injury. Watson doesn't just believe Chubb will be back and better than ever — he's sure of it.
"No one on our team ever doubted Chubb," he said. "If you have any doubt in Chubb man, I think you support the wrong organization."
During the 7-on-7 tournament, Watson also reunited with the Glenville Tarblooders, winners of back-to-back OHSAA Division IV state football championships. Following their first victory in 2022, Watson paid for the team's championship rings, and on Wednesday, the team repaid him by gifting him a ring of his own.