The Cleveland Browns' decision to stick with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback continues to spark controversy, and the signal-caller himself isn't helping his case. After a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Watson took to the podium on Wednesday to push back against what he perceives as unfair scrutiny from the press.
“I think the media has this expectation that I’m supposed to throw 400 yards and 5 touchdowns every week,” Watson told reporters. That comment, however, ignores the glaring reality of his performance since signing a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022. In that span, Watson has amassed just 3,570 passing yards and 20 touchdowns—numbers that fall far short of the elite production expected from a player with his price tag.
In the season opener, Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, adding 38 yards on the ground. While not a disaster, it was hardly the kind of outing that silences doubters, especially after a preseason filled with calls for his benching.
Browns head coach Todd Monken, however, remains supportive. “It’s only been two weeks he’s gotten all the reps. And there were some really good things on film. Some things that you can build on, and there were some others that operationally we got to get better at,” Monken said. “I did think that when he had time, when he understood the concepts, he didn’t play tentative, that he let it rip. … I’d like to see how we could build on that. I liked his week of practice last week, and I think he’s only going to continue to get better.”
Still, the tension between Watson and the Cleveland fanbase is palpable. Many supporters have long wanted him off the roster, and his preseason comments calling out fans only added fuel to the fire. The quarterback's latest deflection onto the media is unlikely to mend fences.
Watson’s struggles have also reignited comparisons to his predecessor, Baker Mayfield's turbulent tenure with the Browns. Mayfield, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will face his old team in Week 2, a matchup that promises to be emotionally charged.
If Watson stumbles again against the Buccaneers, speculation will only grow about a potential change. Some have suggested that rookie Shedeur Sanders could get a shot, a move that Michael Vick believes would be a win-win for Sanders. But for now, Monken has confirmed Watson will remain the starter.
The Browns' coaching staff is walking a tightrope, trying to balance support for their embattled quarterback with the need to win games. Monken's comments about building on the positives indicate a desire to give Watson time, but patience in the NFL is notoriously thin.
As the pressure mounts, Watson's ability to block out the noise and deliver on the field will be tested. His Week 2 performance could define his season—and perhaps his future in Cleveland.
