Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has lifted the lid on the chaos that led to Deshaun Watson leaving the field midway through Sunday’s loss to the Commanders.
The Browns’ dismal start to the season continued when they were destroyed by a Jayden Daniels-inspired Washington team.
Stefanski stood in disbelief at his own quarterback as Watson left the huddle and headed to the sideline during the third quarter.
Down 21 on 4th and goal, the head coach made the decision to keep the offense on the field in a desperate attempt to get Cleveland back into contention.
Moments later, however, Watson was off the field and the Browns resorted to kicking a field goal.
Browns star Deshaun Watson left the field on a fourth-down play during Sunday’s game.
The quarterback surprised head coach Kevin Stefanski, who wanted to try it on 4th-and-goal.
Watson was sacked seven times as Cleveland suffered a 34-13 loss to the Commanders.
Watson appeared to challenge his coach, who removed his headphones in frustration before covering his mouth and speaking to his quarterback.
Many NFL fans on social media accused the 29-year-old of effectively quitting his team.
Stefanski later explained that it was a blunder by the Browns that led to Watson leaving the field.
“We had the wrong amount of people in the huddle, and at that point, we were just going to kick the field goal.”
Watson has regularly made headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent years.
The 29-year-old was traded to the Browns for six draft picks, including three first-rounders, in 2022, despite being sued by more than two dozen massage therapists for sexual harassment and sexual assault the year before.
Since the trade, he has signed a five-year, $230 million contract, all guaranteed.
The head coach could be seen exchanging words with the interlocutor on the bench.
The Cleveland Browns suffered another embarrassment when they lost 34-13 to the Commanders
Watson has been involved in several court cases over the past three seasons, and previously reached confidential settlements with 20 women over sexual misconduct claims that saw him suspended for 11 NFL games during the 2022 season.
Last month, it was revealed that he is being sued for more than $1 million by a new woman, who accused him of sexually assaulting her in Texas four years ago. Watson “strongly denies” the allegations.
On the field, meanwhile, the Browns are now 1-4 after a woeful start to the season. Cleveland will face the Philadelphia Eagles on the road next week.
After Watson left the field on Sunday, the Browns were forced to take a delay penalty and settle for a field goal, making the score 24-6.
Had they converted the touchdown attempt, as Stefanski wanted, the Browns could have made it a two-score game.
Some supporters recently called for Watson to be benched amid his sexual assault allegations.
Tempers reportedly flared between Stefanski and Watson during Sunday’s game, and the quarterback and coach were seen yelling at each other several times during the 34-13 loss.
According to ESPN ratings, Watson is the worst-performing quarterback in the NFL. And after another dismal afternoon for Cleveland, Stefanski addressed his future as a starter.
“We’re not going to change quarterbacks,” he said. ‘We need to play better. I need to train better. That’s really what it is.’
A three-yard touchdown run by Jeremy McNichols, followed by a field goal by Austin Seibert, saw Washington establish a commanding 34-6 lead late in the third.
Cleveland finally managed to find the end zone in the fourth quarter when Watson found Jordan Akins with a ten-yard pass, but it came too late as the Commanders took the 34-13 victory.
Watson was traded to the Browns for six draft picks, including three first-round picks, in 2022
Last month, some Browns fans called for Watson to be benched after sexual assault allegations surfaced.
“Every week for the last 3 years, Deshaun Watson has looked like the worst quarterback in the NFL and there are still people claiming he’s a little rusty,” one fan wrote.
“I’m not sure there are five starting quarterbacks in the league worse than Deshaun Watson,” another added.
“The deal between the Browns and Deshaun Watson is the worst deal ever and I’m sure it will never be topped,” said a third.
Meanwhile, former quarterback Warren Moon claimed that Watson’s on-field issues are related to his off-field drama.
“He’s still dealing with a lot of that shit he had to deal with a couple years ago with the lawsuits and all that,” Moon said. TMZ. And now, suddenly, another lawsuit arises.
“It seems like just when he’s starting to get his career back on track after overcoming the lawsuits, and then the injuries he’s had over the last few years, here comes another one.”
Moon added: “It seems like every time he goes out on the field he plays with a heavy mind and is not able to concentrate on the game.”
