Browns’ Deshaun Watson crisis spirals with calls for Jameis Winston
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looked like a total shell of himself during an abysmal Week 1 performance against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Cleveland was routed 33-17 at home as Watson struggled to find any rhythm on offense during the contest.
There was skepticism about Watson, 28, entering the season as the Browns’ offense thrived with veteran Joe Flacco last season after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
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Dallas’ defense had a feast in Cleveland. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Flacco is now with the Colts, but calls for Watson to be replaced have already begun.
“I’d think long and hard about Jameis [Winston],” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky posted on X.
The Browns signed Winston in March and the former No. 1 pick is a tantalizing option given the potential he has shown in the past, even if that has always come with turnover concerns.
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Fans have a tough relationship with Watson. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Watson lacked pocket awareness throughout the contest, repeatedly launching errant passes regardless of the pressure he faced.
“Deshaun Watson’s in-game feel just isn’t there the way it was,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on X. “On that fourth down, he seemed unaware and let the rusher get to him. Not good.”
Watson sat quietly by himself in the locker room after the game, according to the Associated Press, while being consoled by general manager Andrew Berry.
It was a heartbreaking week for Watson ahead of the game.
His father passed away on Friday, while former Clemson teammate Diondre Overton was killed on Saturday.
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Calls for Jameis Winston have already begun. Getty Images
“Football is definitely something that you got to take very, very seriously and it’s our job, it’s our career,” Watson said, according to the Associated Press. “But you know, there are other things that are bigger than this. It’s been a long week and they gave me the opportunity to go back home, but I told them I wanted to be here with my guys.”
Watson went 24-45 with one touchdown and two interceptions while the Cowboys unleashed their defense on an overmatched Browns unit.
Fans were booing Watson and the team throughout the poor Week 1 performance.
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Deshaun Watson had a rough week coupled with a terrible performance in Week 1. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“Browns fans have booed Watson consistently since he’s been in Cleveland,” Cleveland sports radio host Anthony Lima of 92.3 The Fan posted on X. “It’s the most unique relationship any team’s fanbase has with their expensive QB. He has 16 games to turn this around or it’s one of the all-time ‘lost it’ stories in professional sports.”
Watson’s contract severely complicates any decision the team makes going forward.
The fully guaranteed deal means he can’t be released without a $72.9 million 2025 salary cap hit, the highest in the NFL next season.
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Deshaun Watson struggled with pocket awareness on Sunday. Getty Images
“They can’t trade him. They can’t cut him,” Fox Sports Henry McKenna posted on X. “So when they bench him, they’ll have to just have him sit on their inactives all year like a Scarlet Letter.”
Cleveland heads to Jacksonville to face a leaky Jaguars defense in Week 2 as Watson looks to bounce back.
