Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reveals why Deshaun Watson walked off in the middle of NFL game
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has lifted the lid on the chaos that led to Deshaun Watson walking off the field midway through Sunday’s loss to the Commanders.
The Browns’ dismal start to the season continued as they were picked apart by a Washington squad inspired by Jayden Daniels.
Stefanski was left in disbelief at his own quarterback as Watson left the huddle and headed to the sideline during the third quarter.
Trailing by 21 on 4th and goal, the head coach made the call to keep the offense on the field in a desperate attempt for Cleveland to claw its way back into the game.
Moments later, however, Watson was off the field and the Browns had resorted to a field goal.
Browns star Deshaun Watson walked off the field during Sunday’s game after a fourth-down loss
The quarterback surprised head coach Kevin Stefanski, who wanted to go for it on fourth down
Watson was sacked seven times as Cleveland suffered a 34-13 loss to the Commanders
Watson appeared to challenge his coach, who took off 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.
Later, Stefanski explained that it was a blunder by the Browns that led to Watson leaving the field.
“We had the wrong number of people in the group, and at that point we just wanted to kick the field goal.”
Watson has regularly made the news for the wrong reasons in recent years.
The 29-year-old was traded to the Browns in 2022 for six draft picks, including three first-rounders, despite being sued by more than two dozen female massage therapists for sexual harassment and assault the year before.
Since the trade, he has signed a five-year deal worth $230 million, all of which is guaranteed.
The head coach could be seen exchanging words with the signal caller on the sideline
The Cleveland Browns were embarrassed again, losing 34-13 to the Commanders
Watson has been embroiled in several lawsuits over the past three seasons, previously reaching confidential settlements with 20 women over sexual misconduct lawsuits that saw him suspended for 11 NFL games in the 2022 season.
Last month it was revealed that he has been sued for over a million dollars by a new woman, who has accused him of sexually assaulting her in Texas four years ago. Watson ‘strongly’ denies the allegations.
On the field, the Browns are now 1-4 after a dismal start to the season. Cleveland will face the Philadelphia Eagles on the road next week.
After Watson left the field on Sunday, the Browns had 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 over his sexual assault allegations
Tempers reportedly flared between Stefanski and Watson during Sunday’s game, with quarterback and coach yelling at each other several times during the 34-13 loss.
According to ESPN’s ratings, Watson is the worst performing quarterback in the NFL. And after another dreary afternoon for Cleveland, Stefanski spoke about his future as a starter.
“We don’t change quarterbacks,” he said. ‘We have to play better. I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.’
A three-yard touchdown run by Jeremy McNichols, followed by an Austin Seibert field goal, gave Washington a dominant 34-6 lead at the end of the third.
Cleveland finally managed to find the end zone in the fourth quarter when Watson found Jordan Akins on a ten-yard pass, but it came a little too late as the Commanders walked away with the 34-13 win.
Watson was traded to the Browns in 2022 for six draft picks, including three first rounders
Last month, some Browns fans called for Watson to be benched after the sexual assault allegations emerged.
“For the past three years, Deshaun Watson has looked like the worst QB in the NFL every week and there are still those who say he’s a little rusty,” one fan wrote.
“I’m not sure there are five starting QBs in the league worse than Deshaun Watson,” another added.
“The Browns/Deshaun Watson deal is the worst deal in history and I’m confident it will never be surpassed,” said a third.
Former quarterback Warren Moon, meanwhile, claimed Watson’s on-field struggles are linked to his off-field drama.
“He’s still dealing with a lot of those things he had to deal with a few years ago, with the lawsuits and all that,” Moon said. TMZ. ‘And now suddenly there will be another lawsuit.
“It seems like just as 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 – another one comes along.”
Moon added, “It seems like every time he goes on the field, he plays with a heavy head and can’t concentrate on the game.”