For the first time since mid-June, Browns QB Deshaun Watson addressed the media at a 7-on-7 tournament hosted by the Browns and the Deshaun Watson Foundation.
Watson, who ended his 2023 campaign in November after requiring shoulder surgery, said that he had been working towards recovery throughout the offseason.
"Yeah, every day," Watson said when asked if he had thrown since mandatory minicamp held in June. "The work comes first, so I'm always working to get better to improve my skillset and myself."
Watson said while there have not been any setbacks in his recovery, he continues to take the process one day at a time. He expressed his appreciation for the doctors and Browns staffers who have helped him through the difficulties of recovering from a major surgery.
"It's been beautiful," Watson said. "It's been a blessing being able to sit back and recollect everything that has been going on and just being able to start from scratch and build that foundation. […] For me, to even be back throwing a football is definitely my top point that I've been locked in with."
Watson was also asked about WR Amari Cooper, who did not report for mandatory minicamp. The nine-year veteran, who has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his two seasons in Cleveland, is in the final year of his contract.
"Amari is going to be good," Watson said. "As far as the other stuff, that's his business and I can't get into all of that. He knows that we love him, and we want him back for sure."
As a duo, Watson and Cooper have totaled 51 receptions for 870 yards and four touchdowns in their 12 games together. Watson said he and Cooper have kept in touch over the summer and expressed his confidence in the five-time Pro Bowler.
"The connection has been awesome," Watson said. "Even with all the other guys, it's not like we missed a beat. Amari's always been there, we know what he can do. He's shown that. He's shown that over the offseason. The brotherhood, the love, the communication, none of that has missed a beat at all."
Cooper will undoubtedly be a focal point of the Browns offense, which will be revamped under newly hired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Watson had high praise for Dorsey's influence on the Browns offense, which the team spent time installing during minicamp.
"It's beautiful. It's fun, it's exciting. Him and Kevin [Stefanski] are doing a heck of a job of putting a nice playbook together for all of us to go out there and execute on a high level and be one of the top teams in the NFL," Watson said. "That's the plan and we're going to take it one day at a time and we're just going to continue building."
Watson, who befriended Cam Newton at the 2015 NFL MVP's own 7-on-7 camp, said that he has spoken with Newton about Dorsey, who was Newton's quarterbacks coach with the Panthers from 2013-17.
"He liked Ken. Ken is just going to let you be yourself. He wants to score. He wants to put up a lot of points but he's going to allow you to be you," Watson said.
Training camp, which is just around the corner, will provide another look at the early stages of the Browns new offense. Watson and the rest of the Browns will report for training camp at The Greenbrier in West Virginia on July 25.
