Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been given the vote of confidence from coach Kevin Stefanski, who affirmed that Watson will remain the starter this week despite the swirling (and well-deserved) criticism.
"I know you can take out plays and look at that, and there's obviously plays that Deshaun wants back," Stefanski said, stating the fairly obvious.
The stats tell a troubling story for Watson, as he currently sits at 27th in NFL passer rating, with a mark of just 74.8. It's a disappointing start for a player with such high expectations, and the Browns find themselves ranked dead last in several offensive categories, including yards per game and third-down efficiency.
The noise from fans and media calling for a switch to Jameis Winston is growing louder, but Watson swears he isn't letting it get to him.
"I don't hear it," Watson said bluntly when asked about the outcry for his benching. "I'm not on Twitter or any social media, so anytime that stuff comes up, the only time I first hear it is either you guys are bringing it up or somebody else outside [the building]."
After a lackluster 125-yard outing last week, Watson has yet to crack the 200-yard mark this season. His five touchdown passes come with three interceptions, raising eyebrows about his performance.
"I feel like there's been opportunities for us to be able to play winning football and hit the open guy," he said. "Maybe there were one or two things that were kind of off track, but at the same time, that's part of just getting the reps and watching film."
As the Browns gear up for their next game, Watson's job security seems solid for now, but he knows he must turn things around quickly. The fans are restless, and the heat is on to deliver results.
If Watson can't find his groove soon, the calls for a change might grow impossible to ignore. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting on the former Pro Bowler. Will he rise to the occasion? The Browns — and their fans — are certainly hoping so. Right now, though, he's been among the biggest busts in NFL history.
