Deshaun Watson sets record straight about calls for Cleveland Browns to bench him

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson dismissed criticism of his performances amid growing calls for him to be benched.

Back in 2022, Watson was traded to the Browns where he signed a five-year contract worth $230 million - one of the largest contracts in NFL history. However, the 29-year-old has struggled to live up to the billing since joining the AFC North franchise.

Watson has struggled immensely through five weeks , leading the Browns to a 1-4 record. While the Browns have suffered injuries, Watson’s play is widely considered the primary reason for the dismal offense which ranks last in the NFL in several statistical categories.

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Cleveland ranks 30th in the NFL by putting up just 15.8 points per game while the team is yet to score more than 17 points in a single game. The Browns’ pass attack is 28th in the league with only 868 passing yards in five contests, with Watson yet to crack the 200-yard threshold in any appearance this year.

As a result of his performances, fans and media members have speculated over how long Watson will remain the starter. While he has looked like a shell of his former self , the three-time Pro Bowler insists he is unaffected by the noise.

“First off, I don’t hear it, I don’t see it. I’m not on Twitter, I’m not on any social media or things like that,” Watson told reporters on Wednesday. “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. And I just don’t know who it’s coming from. So that’s one thing.

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“So, yeah, I mean, for the outside people and the media it might be loud, but for myself, I got to make sure I’m locked in and trying to do whatever I can to get all of us on the same page to play winning football.”

Through five games, Watson has put up 852 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions on a 60.2 percent completion rate. He has struggled, but the Cleveland offensive line has hardly helped; Watson has been sacked 26 times for a loss of 154 yards, both of which lead the league.

“I mean, we just have to continue to be better overall, all of us. Know where my highest on my reads, know where my outlets are in that situation,” Watson said. “But I have a lot of confidence in those guys up front that each and every week we’re going to continue to improve, and I got to be right there with them.

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"And we know we got to be on the same page within that. So, yeah, just depending on the route concepts and the scheme and what we were trying to do.”

Watson’s Browns take on the 2-2 Philadelphia Eagles in their next contest on Sunday, Oct. 13.