The Cleveland Browns’ hopes of picking up where they left off last season with a solid all-around team and a spot in the postseason have fallen squarely on the shoulders of Deshaun Watson.
Watson has led the Browns’ offense, which has not scored more than 18 points in a game and has one win against the also 1-4 Jaguars.
The calls to bench Watson and Cleveland’s downward trajectory are only growing louder.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky took aim at Watson on Monday, calling him “done” and the Browns the “worst in professional sports” for the money they owe him and continue to start him.
“The Cleveland Browns are in the worst situation in professional sports,” Orlovsky said. “They’re ready, and so is Deshaun Watson. “If you want to see a situation where the head coach has absolutely no say in who plays on the field, that’s what happens in Cleveland.”
Watson has not led the Browns offense to more than 18 points in a game this season
Dan Orlovsky has called out Cleveland and Watson for the position the franchise finds itself in
Kevin Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year. He is a brilliant attacking mind. And this offense is nothing like the one that won him Coach of the Year twice. They are in a terrible situation.’
“And if you just watch the game and then look at the stats, their offensive performance, and specifically Deshaun Watson’s offensive performance, is the worst in the NFL. They’re ready.’
“I don’t think this is a head coach decision, and I don’t think this is a general manager decision. “I really believe this comes from the owner because there’s no way you could look at this football footage from the last five weeks and say this is our best chance.”
“This is why this is the worst situation in all of sport. Maybe they have $150 million guaranteed on a quarterback and can justify a first-round draft pick at quarterback next year.”
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam handed Watson a five-year, $230 million extension with guaranteed money in 2022.
Now Cleveland needs a major overhaul to recreate last season’s success.