Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stands by QB Deshaun Watson as struggles continue. The $230 million contract of Watson is fully guaranteed, which seems to solidify his role with the team despite ongoing challenges.
Watson has yet to guide the Cleveland Browns to an offensive touchdown this season, leaving fans questioning whether he can lead them to their first 20-point game or even spark hope for a turnaround.
Despite his struggles on the field and the surrounding controversies, Coach Stefanski remains unwavering in his support for Watson, indicating that no amount of criticism will change the current starting quarterback.
Watson is firmly established as Cleveland’s quarterback, and that appears to be the final word on the matter.
Following the Browns’ narrow 20-16 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles, Stefanski was clear about Watson’s status as QB1 for the upcoming matchup against Cincinnati.
“Yes,” Stefanski confirmed decisively.
On Monday, he reiterated his belief that Watson “continues to give us the best chance to win.” When questioned about whether his decision was influenced by owner Jimmy Haslam, who played a significant role in securing Watson’s contentious contract in 2022, Stefanski emphasized that all football-related decisions rest with him.
In the recent game, Watson completed 16 of 23 passes for 168 yards, but missed a critical opportunity for a tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter when he was forced out of bounds just two yards from the end zone. His subsequent incomplete pass on third down led the Browns to settle for a field goal, and they never regained possession.
The situation surrounding the quarterback is perplexing, given Watson’s dismal statistics — a quarterback rating of 76.6, placing him near the bottom of the league in crucial metrics.
The Browns face a bleak outlook for replicating last year’s playoff success, which was fueled by then-backup Joe Flacco. Speculation arises about whether former first-round pick Jameis Winston, now a backup, could be the solution.
“Where are we? We’re 1-5,” Stefanski acknowledged. “We own it, not going to hide from it. I own it. I’m 1-5. The whole locker room. We’re all 1-5. But I know what type of group we got. We got fighters, and we’ll be back next week ready to fight.”
The challenges facing the Browns extend beyond their current record. Watson’s contract, which carries a $72.9 million salary cap hit for each of the next two years, could go down as one of the most detrimental in NFL history, locking the franchise into a quarterback whose off-field issues have overshadowed his on-field performance.
Watson faced a $5 million fine and was required to undergo mandatory counseling before his reinstatement by the league. Recently, he settled a civil lawsuit from a woman alleging sexual assault and battery.
Although he completed 11 of 12 passes for 122 yards in the second half of the game, he has yet to surpass 200 passing yards in any game this season.
“It’s right there in our hands, and we’re not taking it,” Watson stated. “Yeah, the chances are there.”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged Watson’s potential, suggesting he could still return to his former greatness.
“I’ve seen Deshaun Watson be Superman before,” Sirianni remarked.
Unfortunately for Watson, the Eagles proved to be his kryptonite.
The Browns have made history by becoming the first team since the 2014 Jacksonville Jaguars to score fewer than 20 points in each of their first six games, a feat that led those Jaguars to a dismal 3-13 finish.
Cleveland managed to score its only touchdown this season from a blocked field goal. In the first half of the recent game, Watson was sacked three times and only managed to throw for 49 yards.
