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New York Post
Browns fans speculate if Deshaun Watson has burner account after Week 1 disaster
By Jaclyn Hendricks,
4 hours ago
Conspiracy theories are flying in Cleveland.
In the wake of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s miserable season-opening outing Sunday against the Cowboys — a 33-17 thumping on home turf — Browns fans are speculating if one social media page defending the embattled star is a possible burner account.
Internet detectives have zoned in on the X account of one Leroy Bickerstaff (@LeroyBickers4), who has posted glowing remarks about Watson despite a disappointing start to the season.
The account was created this month, and its first tweet came on Sept. 8, the day of the Browns’ loss.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in August 2024. Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK The X account of Leroy Bickerstaff is suspected by fans to be a Deshaun Watson burner account. X
“If 4 [Watson’s jersey number] had a tackle like Trent Williams he’d be able to show his greatness… 4 can’t succeed when he’s got no chance back there,” Bickerstaff posted Monday on X.
The Watson supporter also replied to a Cleveland fan page Monday that wrote , “Love seeing all the fake Browns fans already write this team off. We gonna be fine.”
“Someone gets it… one game ain’t nothing just wait till the oline and play calls stop holding 4 back from his greatness,” Bickerstaff’s post read .
Bickerstaff even took aim at Stephen A. Smith on Monday following harsh criticism of Watson on “First Take.”
“I’m not saying they are a horrible team, but they might have a horrible quarterback,” Smith said in a clip posted on X, to which Bickerstaff replied, “@stephenasmith never played a sport in his life but always wanna talk like he one of them ones… always saying whatever will get clicks instead of speaking the facts.”
Deshaun Watson is coming off a disappointing season-opener against the Cowboys. Getty Images
Watson, just two years removed from signing a five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million, threw one touchdown against two interceptions for 169 yards on Sunday. He was also sacked six times.
The former first-round pick by the Texans played in just six games last season, undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in November.
Veteran Joe Flacco signed with the team that same month and helped Cleveland punch its ticket to the postseason, earning a Comeback Player of the Year nod in the process.
The quarterback was sacked six times in the loss. Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Clemson product was previously suspended for 11 games in 2022 and fined $5 million by the league amid accusations of sexual misconduct by massage therapists.
Twenty-three of the 24 civil lawsuits filed against Watson were settled in 2022, according to ESPN .
The Browns are hoping to avoid an 0-2 start this weekend when they face the Jaguars. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Speculation of a Watson burner account isn’t the only theory floating around.
Dan Le Batard suggested this week on his self-titled show that the leak of the new lawsuit may have come from someone with ties to the team.
“The number of people who will defend this behavior if they think their quarterback is good, and then the strategic leaking of stuff that makes you wonder, are they trying to get out from under the contract … it’s pretty gross,” he said.
“The finances of this [are] so cold and awful that you’re now like, oh, the Browns are going to try and see if they can sneak away from everything there when they shouldn’t be able to.”
Watson counts as a $72.9 million-per-year cap hit for the next two seasons, per Over the Cap .
The Browns will face the Jaguars on Sunday, with Jacksonville also seeking its first win following a season-opening loss to the Dolphins.
For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/
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