Kevin Stefanski has 4-word message on possibly benching Deshaun Watson
Kevin Stefanski opened up on questions surrounding Deshaun Watson after the Browns lost yet another game in Week 5 to fall to a 1-4 record. Before the season began, Cleveland was considered one of the favorites to make the playoffs. They had been there in 2023 with backup quarterback Joe Flacco. They had an explosive defense led by Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Yet right now, they are bottom of the AFC West, tied with the Bengals. Cincinnati gives up too many points on defense and lost the matchup against the Ravens due to a mistake on special teams. For the Browns, the problem is the offense and Deshaun Watson.
He looks a shadow of the player he was with the Texans. Watson has 852 yards in four games and has not touched 200 passing yards in a single match this year. He has five passing touchdowns and three interceptions, with a completion percentage of 60.2 and a passer rating of 74.8.
Naturally, the media questioned head coach Kevin Stefanski about changing starting quarterbacks. The Cleveland coach pushed back vehemently, though, saying,
“We’re not changing quarterbacks”
Does Kevin Stefanski's pronouncement mean Deshaun Watson is safe as Browns' starter?
Kevin Stefanski gave a vote of confidence to Deshaun Watson but the quarterback has to know that the NFL is a results business. Joe Flacco, his former backup, is doing well for the Indianapolis Colts at the age of 39 and has recorded the same number of touchdowns as Watson without interceptions. The former Super Bowl winner did it in just two games.
Baker Mayfield, whom Deshaun Watson replaced, has established himself as the Buccaneers starter and led them to the playoffs last year. This season, the Tampa Bay player has 11 touchdowns and two picks, both better than the Browns quarterback's numbers. Comparisons are inevitable at this juncture.
Bryce Young received a vote of confidence from new head coach Dave Canales in the offseason and after the first loss of 2024. However, once the Panthers fell to 0-2, the head coach decided it was time to shake things up. He moved past his previous pronouncements and his second-year quarterback and handed the reins to Andy Dalton.
Deshaun Watson knows that no matter what Kevin Stefanski says right now, things can change if results don't improve on the field.