Deshaun Watson Talks Baker Mayfield Matchup Ahead of Bucs QB's Revenge Game vs. Browns

During the 2022 offseason, the Cleveland Browns made a massive change at quarterback by trading for Houston Texans signal-caller Deshaun Watson and signing him to a five-year $230 million contract. That ended the Baker Mayfield era, and the Browns eventually dealt him to the Carolina Panthers.

Now the two quarterbacks will face off Sunday as Watson's Browns visit Mayfield's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who signed Mayfield as a free agent in March 2023.

On Wednesday, Watson was asked about the matchup with Mayfield. Watson said he's focused on the defense but gave his competitor much respect as well.

Mayfield has enjoyed great success with the Bucs, throwing for 95 touchdowns and making a pair of postseasons and Pro Bowls from 2023-2025.

Meanwhile, injuries and ineffectiveness have doomed Watson's tenure with the Browns, who got off to a rough start Sunday in a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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In 20 starts as a Brown, Watson has thrown for 20 touchdowns and averaged 178.5 passing yards per game.

Watson was asked whether he felt he needed a big game on Sunday at Tampa Bay before Cleveland has its home opener in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers.

"I think personally, I think all that is for the media," Watson said. "I mean, I think the media has this expectation that I'm supposed to throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns every week, so until that happens, I guess it's gonna be the same situation. So again, my job is to make sure I'm operating well so we can try to get a win and keep moving forward from that."

Kickoff on Sunday in Tampa, Florida's Raymond James Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.