These are the Biggest Flops of the 2023 NFL Season
In the world of professional sports, success is often measured by statistics, records, and championships. However, for every success story, there are bound to be some failures along the way. The 2023 NFL season was no exception, as there were a few notable flops that left fans and analysts scratching their heads.
One of the most prominent flops of the season was the performance of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Despite signing a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022, Watson failed to live up to expectations in 2023. After being out of the game for over a year due to off-field issues, his return to the field was underwhelming, to say the least.
Watson posted career lows in success rate, yards per attempt, yards per completion, and touchdown rate. His 5-1 record may have seemed impressive at first glance, but a closer look reveals that two of those wins came while Cleveland’s defense was performing exceptionally well. Additionally, one of the victories came in a game where Watson completed as many passes to his own team as he did to the opposing team.
The disappointing performance of Watson highlighted the fact that the Cleveland Browns, despite having an elite defense and talented skill-position players, were lacking a reliable quarterback. The fact that a nearly 39-year-old Joe Flacco was able to come in and take over the team further emphasized this point.
To make matters worse, Watson’s contract comes with a hefty cap hit of $63.98 million for each of the next three years, according to OverTheCap. This financial burden makes it even more challenging for the Browns to address their quarterback situation and build a competitive team.
While Watson’s flop was certainly significant, it is essential to remember that sports are unpredictable, and even the most talented players can have off seasons. It will be interesting to see how both Watson and the Browns bounce back from this disappointment in the upcoming seasons.
In conclusion, the 2023 NFL season had its fair share of flops, with Deshaun Watson’s performance being one of the most notable. Despite signing a lucrative contract, Watson struggled on the field and failed to live up to expectations. His poor performance highlighted the Cleveland Browns’ need for a reliable quarterback and further complicated their financial situation. However, sports are full of surprises, and there is always the possibility of redemption in future seasons.
