Browns' Deshaun Watson Has A Friend in ESPN 'Insider' Adam Schefter

SEPT 25 SCHEFTER'S GUY For whatever it is that ESPN insider Adam Schefter does well, his ability to navigate controversial topics is not among them.

Once again, Schefter is being accused of water-carrying for Deshaun Watson, the beleaguered Browns QB who right about now could probably use a supportive friend.

Thank goodness, then, for Schefter, who this week randomly reported, "FWIW: During the Super-Bowl era, 255 teams have started 0-3; six of them have gone on to make the playoffs. The last 0-3 team to make the playoffs was the 2018 Houston Texans, who were quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson.''

The stat is true. But it is also apropos of nothing. It would make sense if the Browns were 0-3; they're not. Otherwise? Even Adam himself seems to realize how random his "report'' is by starting it with "FWIW'' ... because he knows it's worthy nothing ... except to Watson's agent, whose "leaked info'' help make Schefter the "insider'' he gets to appear to be on TV.

SEPT 24 KAREEM GETS CALL The Chiefs are down a man in the backfield due to the Isiah Pacheco injury and now have turned to help from a Browns ex.

The Chiefs have signed Kareem Hunt to their 53-man roster, lifting him up from the practice squad.

Hunt was an NFL rushing champion here as a rookie before getting embroiled in a behavioral controversy. ... and then landing with Cleveland.

He was recently brought back to Kansas City as a "street free agent'' and now he will get a chance to chase a ring as the Chiefs are trying to win a third straight Super Bowl.

SEPT 23 DOWN The Cleveland Browns dropped to 1-2 with a loss to the Giants on Sunday and the offensive line giving up sacks remains a major problem.

Troubling to fans, we're sure: As this is no longer a secret (see below), what is the front office going to do about it?

SEPT EVEN evened their record at 1-1 after an 18-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Even in the win, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was pressured 18 times.

Through two weeks, Watson has been pressured 44 times, and of those 44, 30 have come through the left side of the line. Starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. hasn’t made an appearance yet this season, and frankly there is no real timeline for his return.

Every week we here that they are “hopeful” that it will be soon. That’s great, however, the Browns need help up front right now. If they want to take that type of pressure off of Watson, they need to sign free agent left tackle David Bakhtiari.

He has worked through two surgeries to remove scar tissue and damage to his knee and is said to be healthy and ready to go. If he is healthy, he is one of the best in the business.

Bakhtiari on the left side with Joel Bitonio could be a wall on Watson’s blind side and allow him more time to scan the field and go through his progressions.

Ex Browns RB Kareem Hunt Re-Signs with Chiefs

At the end of the day, Watson cannot continue to be pressured and hit all season. General manager Andrew Berry has to do something if Wills and Conklin aren’t going to make it onto the field.

Bakhtiari is at least worth the phone call.

The Browns will host the New York Giants this Sunday. New York had five sacks on Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels last week and will look to exploit Cleveland’s backups this week.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.