Deshaun Watson is facing heavy criticism for his performance in the Cleveland Browns’ 34-13 defeat against the Washington Commanders.
Accusations have surfaced that he quit on his team during a pivotal fourth-and-goal situation, but the truth is more nuanced. During this critical moment, Watson was accused of walking off the field, which led to claims of insubordination towards head coach Kevin Stefanski.
However, the Browns had 12 players on the field, resulting in a delay of game penalty that forced the team to settle for a field goal instead of attempting a touchdown.
Watson later clarified the incident.
“Too many men in a huddle. That was it,” as reported by Cleveland.com.
With the Browns struggling to find their footing this season, Watson has become an easy target for critics, especially given his hefty $230 million fully guaranteed contract. His performance has not matched expectations, raising questions about his dedication to the team.
It was a critical miscommunication
The controversial moment unfolded in the third quarter, with the Browns trailing 24-3. Watson’s exit from the field was perceived as a rejection of Stefanski’s decision to kick a field goal from the eight-yard line.
Initially, the Fox broadcasting team overlooked the fact that the Browns had too many players on the field, which contributed to the confusion. Analyst Greg Olsen was on the call for the game, and gave his thoughts on the incident.
“Kevin Stefanski has to be sick,” Olsen declared, emphasizing the coach’s frustration over the situation.
Despite a promising first-and-goal opportunity at the two-yard line, the delay of game penalty diminished the Browns’ chances of scoring a touchdown, forcing them to opt for a field goal instead.
“We had the wrong amount of people in the huddle, and then at that point, we were just going to kick the field goal,” Stefanski explained.
Following this, the Commanders took advantage of their next drive, scoring again and all but sealing the Browns’ defeat, leaving them with a disappointing 1-4 record.
Watson’s struggles continued as he completed just 15 of 28 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown during the game. For the season, he has accumulated a mere 852 passing yards, along with five touchdowns and three interceptions across five games. Notably, he has yet to exceed 200 passing yards in any matchup, raising alarm bells regarding his effectiveness as a starting quarterback.
