The Cleveland Browns fell to 1-4 with a loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday after yet one more dispiriting efficiency by quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The embattled Browns sign caller handed for less than 125 yards within the loss, the fewest he has thrown for in both of the final two seasons (not together with a sport he left due to harm). Watson threw for one landing within the 34-13 defeat — nevertheless it got here within the fourth quarter with Cleveland already trailing by 28 factors.
Watson has been one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL coming into Week 5.
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He started Sunday with a 23.6 quarterback ranking, final amongst all qualifying quarterbacks. His 181.8 yards per sport passing by means of 4 weeks was sixth worst amongst quarterbacks who performed at the least 4 video games.
After 5 video games, Watson has thrown for less than 5 touchdowns whereas tossing three interceptions.
It has been a downward development for Watson ever since he started taking part in for the Browns towards the tip of the 2022 season. His QBR in every of the final two seasons would have been within the backside third of the league, however he didn’t qualify in both season as a result of he didn’t play sufficient snaps.
Watson’s poor efficiency is one thing of a triple whammy for Cleveland: The crew is shedding video games, his contract is onerous, and former Browns quarterbacks are thriving with different groups.
Watson is just 9-8 in 17 video games as a starter over three seasons with Cleveland and has but to seem in a playoff sport.
In the meantime, he’s second amongst all quarterbacks in assured cash, with an rigid contract. If the Browns lower him earlier than June 1, they’d owe him $92 million whereas taking practically a $173 million hit in opposition to their wage cap. If Cleveland cuts Watson after that date, it could nonetheless incur over $86 million in penalties in every of the subsequent two seasons.
So as to add insult to harm, quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco have discovered success elsewhere.
Mayfield, the No. 1 total decide by Cleveland within the 2018 draft, gained a playoff sport for the franchise earlier than he was forged apart in favor of Watson. Mayfield gained a playoff sport with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers final season, and he has led them to a 3-2 report this yr, accounting for 13 touchdowns with solely two interceptions.
Even Watson’s former backup Flacco — who threw extra landing passes than Watson in fewer video games with the Browns final yr — is taking part in higher. Flacco has 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in two video games with the Indianapolis Colts. Flacco’s 359 yards Sunday had been greater than Watson has thrown in any sport with Cleveland.
All the struggles for the Browns and Watson have come within the wake of his sexual assault scandal, which successfully price him the 2021 season, in addition to the primary 11 video games of 2022.
In March and April 2021, 22 girls sued Watson claiming sexual misconduct to assault.
Cleveland nonetheless traded three first-round picks and two different draft picks for Watson in March 2022 and signed him on the time to what was the biggest contract — with probably the most assured cash — in NFL historical past.
On Sept. 9, a brand new accuser sued Watson alleging sexual assault and battery.
After Sunday’s loss, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stood by Watson.
“We’re not altering quarterbacks,” he stated.