Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the team is “not changing quarterbacks” after Deshaun Watson's poor performance

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Oct 7, 2024, 11:54 IST

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Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski confirms no quarterback change despite Deshaun Watson's poor performance in a 34-13 loss to the Commanders. Watson, with a QBR of 23.6, has struggled, but his hefty contract complicates the decision. Meanwhile, former Browns QB Baker Mayfield excels with the Buccaneers, making significant strides this season.

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the team is “not changing quarterbacks” after Deshaun Watson's poor performance

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The Browns suffered a disappointing defeat against the Commanders in Washington, with QB Deshaun Watson being among the poorest performers, completing 125 yards, the lowest for the QB in the last two seasons in the NFL. Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stated that the team is not changing quarterbacks after struggling with Deshaun Watson and the offense in a 34-13 loss against Washington Commanders.
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Kevin Stefanski on Deshaun Watson's poor performance

Deshaun Watson's poor performance this season may have led to head coach Kevin Stefanski implementing a change in the QB department. He stated, “This is not a one-person issue on offense. We’re not changing quarterbacks. We need to play better. I need to coach better.” The Browns' offense, averaging 3.8 yards per play, may face decisions to make in the coming weeks, as their season may end. Watson's performance was poor, with his TD coming in the last quarter when the Browns were already trailing by 28 points.

Watson is one of the worst quarterbacks this season, ranking lowest among all QBs with a QBR of 23.6. This is not the first time Watson's QBR has been in the trenches, as in the last two seasons, his QBR would have been in the bottom third. However, due to insufficient snaps, this stat has been overlooked. His 9-8 record in 17 games as a starter is not a desirable record in Cleveland, as his success elsewhere would negatively impact supporters of the Browns this season.

Watson's $230 million contract makes it challenging for the Browns to sell him. If they decide to cut him before next season, they would still pay $92 million and face a $173 million salary cap hit. Additionally, they could face a fine of $86 million over two seasons if they cut Watson from their roster. While the Browns are struggling with Watson, their former No.1 pick, Baker Mayfield is making significant strides this season, leading the Buccaneers with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. He helped the Buccaneers qualify for the playoffs last season, proving his capabilities away from Cleveland.
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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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