5 reasons Cleveland Browns fans should be optimistic about 2022 season

Cleveland Browns fans usually are optimistic as they wait for that next season but this one should have fans even more excited about the possibilities

Every year, Cleveland Browns fans eagerly look forward to that next season where the team is going to the Super Bowl and yet that dream has never materialized. That, however, doesn’t seem to stop fans from continuing to be optimistic about that next team.

This year is no different. We don’t have a quarterback controversy, but we do have a highly publicized new quarterback in town named Deshaun Watson. Gone (eventually) is Baker Mayfield. That topic has left many fans divided on their loyalty to the team they grew up with.

Watson has a slew of impending lawsuits filed against him off the field that hs many fans struggling to put their faith behind the new quarterback—  and trusting the franchise and their front office because of their decision to throw in the kitchen sink for him.

But still, we are Browns fans and once the football is kicked off in Week 1, we will again be less objective and more loyal to the team we’ve cheered on since we were kids. With that likely the case for most, let’s take a look at several reasons why this new team playing in 2022 will be ready to contend for a Super Bowl and have us fans feeling optimistic once again.

Reason No. 5 for Cleveland Browns fans to be optimistic this season: A new quarterback

There’s no way to avoid the conversation. Deshaun Watson is an upgrade and likely a top-five quarterback in the NFL. While some numbers comparing Baker Mayfield and Watson look similar on paper, the differences should be big and help the team win a few more games than they would have in the past behind Mayfield.

One of those biggest differences is Watson’s ability to come through in the clutch and his athletic abilities to escape pressure in the backfield and create plays with a talented and veteran offensive lineup. Watson has thrown 39 touchdowns in the fourth quarter of games in his past. Mayfield has only thrown 22.

With players like Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield, and newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper snagging passes, Watson will have a lot of options and I expect him to take advantage of those.

While there was mounting pressure on Mayfield to get out of his quarterbacking rut this past season where it seemed he was making one mistake after another and seeing ghosts, Watson will not be that shaky in the future.

Yes, Watson is going to throw an interception (maybe even two), but he will limit his mistakes and won’t likely lose his confidence like Mayfield seemed to do.