In Philadelphia, the situation surrounding Deshaun Watson and his hefty $230 million guaranteed contract continues to raise eyebrows, particularly concerning his performance on the field and the apparent lack of alternatives. Despite having led the Cleveland Browns to a dismal offensive showing, Watson retains his position as the starting quarterback, as confirmed by head coach Kevin Stefanski. The team’s recent defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, with a final score of 20-16, only emphasizes the ongoing struggles Watson faces.
During the game, Watson completed 16 out of 23 passes for 168 yards but failed to deliver a crucial tying touchdown when he was pushed out at the 2-yard line during a scramble. Instead of a touchdown, the Browns opted for a field goal — which ultimately ended their chance to regain possession and further contributed to their pessimistic season narrative. Coach Stefanski acknowledged the difficulties, noting, “I thought there were some good moments… We need to find a way to be more explosive.”
Watson’s performance statistics, including a 76.6 quarterback rating and rankings near the bottom of key categories, provoke discussions about the direction the team should take. Questions arise about whether Stefanski is being obstinate or if he is under pressure from team owner Jimmy Haslam to continue to support Watson due to the financial commitments made. As the Browns struggle, a comparison to last year’s playoff push under then-backup Joe Flacco only serves to highlight the fall from grace.
With the team currently sitting at 1-5, Stefanski took accountability for the team’s standing, stating, “We own it… We’re all 1-5.” He reinforced his belief in the mental toughness of his players, promising they would be ready to compete the following week. However, the team’s issues run deeper than just a poor record. The financial ramifications of Watson’s contract appear dire, as they could be seen as one of the most problematic in recent NFL history, shackling them to a quarterback struggling both personally and professionally.
Watson faced significant challenges even before this season began. He was suspended for 11 games in 2022 due to violations of the league’s personal conduct policy following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. This stark history seems to overshadow his on-field capabilities, and while he recently resolved another civil lawsuit connected to these claims, doubts linger about his ability to perform effectively.
In the gradual buildup to the Eagles game, Watson had some positives, completing 11 out of 12 throws in the second half. Nevertheless, he has yet to surpass 200 passing yards in any game this season. Acknowledging the missed opportunities, Watson expressed the need for more consistent execution, stating, “It’s right there in our hands, and we’re not taking it.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni took a moment to acknowledge Watson’s potential, asserting that the quarterback still possesses the capability to return to his elite form. Yet, the narrative remains that the Browns are historically struggling, being the first team since the 2014 Jacksonville Jaguars to score fewer than 20 points in each of their initial six games, a season that ended with a record of 3-13. Their only TD this season came from a defensive play, underscoring the offensive woes, as Watson was sacked three times and managed just 49 yards passing in the first half.
Watson himself elaborated on the pressing need for change, saying, “I don’t know what we have to do, but we need to do something.” The sentiment of urgency fills the air, as all eyes now turn to whether benching Watson might be the remedy they desperately need.