Cries amongst followers and analysts for Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to bench struggling quarterback Deshaun Watson in favor of backup Jameis Winston grew louder after Cleveland fell to 1-5 on the season through Sunday’s 20-16 loss on the Philadelphia Eagles (3-2).
Earlier than that sport passed off, former Browns common supervisor and present NFL analyst Michael Lombardi mentioned why, in his phrases, Watson appears to be like “horrible” throughout what’s shortly changing into a misplaced marketing campaign for everyone concerned.
“He is wealthy and is assured wealthy,” Lombardi mentioned about Watson whereas talking with TMZ Sports activities. “…Generally he goes to the sideline, he is acquired that towel over his head, he is checking his Financial institution of America account to ensure he is nonetheless filthy wealthy. He is misplaced his motivation. He is misplaced his drive. He is misplaced virtually his delight to be nice. I do not really feel it. I do not really feel the fervour in him. He is assured for the following two years.”
Watson earned Professional Bowl nods every season from 2018-2020 whereas with the Houston Texans, however he then sat out your complete 2021 marketing campaign following a commerce request. The Browns initially weren’t amongst his desired touchdown spots, however that modified after Cleveland gave him a totally assured five-year, $230M contract to relocate to Northeast Ohio in March 2022.
Since Watson put pen to paper on that deal, he is gone 9-9 throughout 18 whole regular-season begins. Extra worrisome because it pertains to the Browns, he performed like arguably the NFL’s worst beginning signal-caller over the continued marketing campaign’s opening six weeks.
ESPN stats present that Watson started Monday ranked final within the league amongst certified gamers with a 21.5 adjusted QBR on the season. Towards the Eagles, he accomplished 16-of-23 passes for 168 yards with zero landing drives. Cleveland turned the primary staff in 10 years to attain underneath 20 factors in every of its first six video games of a season.
On Oct. 6, former Dallas Cowboys head coach and present NBC character Jason Garrett warned Stefanski that the coach might face a locker-room mutiny if he continued enjoying Watson. Stefanski mentioned on Sunday he is sticking with Watson for this coming Sunday’s dwelling sport towards the 2-4 Cincinnati Bengals.
“Stefanski,” Lombardi added about presumably benching Watson, “this is not about getting away from the contract. That is about saving your franchise. The gamers understand it.”
There’s presently no signal the Browns can realistically escape Watson’s contract earlier than March 2026 on the earliest. Some are satisfied Stefanski is actually being compelled to play the 29-year-old by common supervisor Andrew Berry and/or staff proprietor Jimmy Haslam due to the assured cash connected to Watson’s deal.
For higher or for worse, Browns followers are going to need to hope Watson turns issues round starting with the matchup towards Cincinnati. He isn’t going anyplace anytime quickly.
As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Cleveland as a 4.5-point underdog towards Cincinnati.
