NFL Rumors: Browns Unable to Be 'Super Critical' of Deshaun Watson amid Struggles
October 15, 2024
If it has seemed like people within the Cleveland Browns organization are going out of their way to not say anything bad about Deshaun Watson amid his on-field struggles, there is a reason for that.
On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 22:10 mark), The Athletic's Mike Sando said "it's not real easy to be super critical" of Watson in the Browns' building.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has been asked about Watson's status as the starting quarterback after each of the Browns' last two games.
"We're not changing quarterbacks," Stefanski told reporters on Oct. 6 following a 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders. "We need to play better, I need to coach better. That's really what it is."
The question popped up again on this week after another ugly outing from Watson and the offense in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
"I think it's just important that we continue to do everything we can to play good, sound football," Stefanski said. "I think there were moments obviously of that yesterday. I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win, and we need to play really good offensive football at his position and really at every position to be successful on Sunday."
Stefanski also denied that the decision to stick with Watson was being influenced by ownership or anyone in the front office, including general manager Andrew Berry.
Whatever reason Stefanski and the Browns have come up with publicly for why Watson will continue to start, it's hard not believe a lot of it is related to how much money he is being paid.
Ari Meirov @MySportsUpdateThe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> can't say this and won't say this, but there's nothing they can do about Deshaun Watson. He's making $45M this year, will make $45M fully guaranteed next year, and another $45M fully guaranteed the year after that, with cap hits of $72.9M in both years.<br><br>You can't… <a href="https://t.co/xmYWUvF5bC">https://t.co/xmYWUvF5bC</a>
On a performance level, there is no justification for Watson to keep his job right now. He has thrown for 1,020 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions and completed 61.3 percent of his attempts through six games.
Watson has been sacked 31 times, 11 more than any other quarterback this season. He ranks last out of 31 qualified quarterbacks with a 21.7 QBR.
Austin Gayle @austingayle_Bottom-eight dropback success rates in Weeks 1-6 this millennium:<br><br>734. Deshaun Watson (33%)<br>735. David Carr (33%)<br>736. Marc Bulger (32%)<br>737. Josh Rosen (31%)<br>738. Akili Smith (31%)<br>739. Jay Fielder (30%)<br>740. Blaine Gabbert (30%)<br>741. Jamarcus Russell (29%)
The Browns are the first team since the 2014 Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished 3-13, who failed to score at least 20 points in each of their first six games.
Cleveland has lost five of its first six games, with its lone victory coming against the 1-5 Jaguars in Week 2. The Browns will play the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers in the next three weeks before their bye in Week 10.