Deshaun Watson had another dreadful performance as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback on Sunday, this time leading to a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Watson, who was traded to the Browns in 2022 and agreed to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract, was 16 of 24 with 168 passing yards and was sacked five times. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass and neither did the entire Browns offense.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hugs Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson after their game October 13, 2024 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Cleveland has yet to score at least 20 points this season. ESPN’s Field Yates pointed out that the Browns were the first team in 10 years to fail to reach the 20-point plateau in their first six games of the regular season.
With no hope in sight, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski answered questions about the starting quarterback situation. He was adamant that Watson would remain the starting quarterback.
Mitchell Schwartz, a retired Super Bowl champion who won a ring with the Kansas City Chiefs during his career as an NFL offensive lineman, scrutinized the Browns for keeping Watson as a starter, a notion resented by much of the Browns fan base.
“It’s incredibly lame to do this to the rest of the team,” Schwartz wrote on body when they have no chance of being good because QB Myles Garrett plays in pain every week.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson struggles with the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean defends during the second half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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Schwartz made it clear that he doesn’t think the fault lies with Stefanski, but rather with the person making the decisions above him.
“Anyone who does that is the one who is doing a disservice to the rest of the team,” Schwartz added.
Watson went from top five, or at least top 10, when he was with the Houston Texans to, statistically, one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL.
He hasn’t thrown for at least 200 yards in a single game since Nov. 12, 2023, the last game he played this season.
He hasn’t thrown for at least 300 yards since Jan. 3, 2021, the last game he played in with the Texans. At that time, 300 passing yards were routine for him. He scored 10 times in the 2020 season.
“We’re putting ourselves in the danger zone because we’re not able to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” Watson said after the game.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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With a team built for the playoffs, another loss would certainly destroy any chance of returning to the playoffs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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