Deshaun Watson's NFL future as Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback is decided after huge error

Kevin Stefanski, when questioned by journalists about whether Deshaun Watson would continue as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback following another disappointing performance, gave a straightforward response.

In the Browns' 20-16 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, Watson's performance was less than impressive , completing 16-of-23 pass attempts for 168 yards and no touchdowns. This is a far cry from what Cleveland expected from the 29-year-old when they offered him a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.

With Cleveland now at 1-5 for the season - their worst start since 2017 - many are questioning whether Stefanski and the Browns might consider benching Watson. However, Stefanski quickly dismissed any suggestion of a change.

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"Yes," Stefanski responded bluntly when asked if the Browns will continue to start Watson. Despite Watson's continued struggles, the Browns head coach acknowledged there were positive moments in the loss to the Eagles.

"Yeah, I thought there were some good moments," he added. "Obviously, we need to protect. We need to keep him clean when we can. That's a good front and I thought the guys battled like crazy. Had some decent opportunities there but gotta find a way to be more explosives," reports the Mirror US .

When it was Watson's turn to discuss his performance with reporters, the quarterback had few answers to give. When asked what he could change and how the offense could improve overall, the 29-year-old took a lengthy pause before responding.

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"Just keep working on them, I guess," Watson said with a hint of embarrassment. "Try to rep it in practices as much as possible. The biggest thing, again, each one of us got to lock in and we just have to reflect it."

Watson also pointed out that the Browns need to stop sabotaging their own efforts, as they've failed to make the most of their chances. "Putting ourselves at third and long, when we do capitalize on third down, there's a penalty," he added.

"Goal line, just being able to score and going back, especially last week, right there at the one or three or two and we're going backwards. And that's two weeks in a row where things could have went differently. Who knows but that's tough. Super tough."

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Watson's performance on dropbacks has been notably subpar. From Weeks 1-6, Watson had a -66.2 total EPA, marking the worst record since at least 2000, surpassing Jamarcus Russell's -63.8.

The Browns have become the first team in ten years to not exceed 20 points in any of their first six games, managing only one touchdown in their last 29 drives. Watson's form has been so poor that NFL icon Terry Bradshaw misspoke, suggesting the Browns might need to "put down" Watson.

"Do you put Watson down now? " Bradshaw questioned. "He has not played well since he has been in Cleveland, simply not played well."

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