Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has shed light on the confusion that led to star quarterback Deshaun Watson walking off the field midway through Sunday’s crushing 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders. The Browns, who have had a dismal start to the season, were looking for answers after Watson’s unexpected sideline exit during a pivotal moment in the game.
With the Browns trailing 24-6 in the third quarter, Stefanski made the call to keep the offense on the field for a critical 4th-and-goal attempt. Down by 21 points, Cleveland desperately needed a touchdown to get back into the game.
But instead of executing the play, Watson walked off the field, leaving Stefanski and the coaching staff scrambling. In what should have been a high-stakes attempt to score, the Browns were forced to settle for a field goal after the confusion, ultimately costing them an opportunity to cut the deficit to a two-score game.
Social media quickly lit up, with fans accusing Watson of “quitting” on his team. However, Stefanski clarified the situation in his postgame press conference, explaining that a miscommunication and personnel error were to blame for the blunder. “We had the wrong amount of people in the huddle, and at that point, we were just going to kick the field goal,” Stefanski said. He took full responsibility for the mishap, adding, “Penalties and miscommunications are on me. That looks like losing football to me, and I’ll get it fixed.”
The Browns’ struggles with penalties, particularly having too many players on the field, were glaring throughout the game. When asked about the repeated errors, Stefanski admitted, “It is really frustrating. We will get that fixed. Before we can beat anybody else, we have to stop beating ourselves.”
Watson, too, addressed the team’s self-inflicted wounds during his postgame comments. “We shoot ourselves in the foot. It’s tough,” Watson said. “The offense is going to go as far as I go, and right now, we’re not doing enough. We have to figure it out quickly.” He echoed Stefanski’s explanation of the on-field confusion, simply stating, “Too many men in the huddle, and that was it. We just have to lock in.”
The 29-year-old quarterback, who was traded to the Browns in 2022 for a blockbuster package of six draft picks, has been under intense scrutiny both on and off the field. Watson, who signed a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, has faced multiple legal challenges in recent years, including sexual misconduct allegations from over two dozen women. He served an 11-game suspension last season as part of his settlement with the NFL, and his legal troubles resurfaced last month when another woman filed a new lawsuit against him.
Watson’s off-field controversies have led many to question his performance on the field, with some fans and analysts suggesting that his legal battles are affecting his play. NFL legend Warren Moon weighed in on the issue, telling TMZ that Watson’s struggles may be linked to the weight of his off-field drama. “He’s still dealing with a lot of that stuff from the lawsuits,” Moon said. “Every time he seems to get his career back on track, something else comes up.” Moon added that Watson appears to be playing with a “heavy mind” and is unable to focus fully on football.
Watson’s performance on Sunday did little to silence his critics. He completed just 19 of 30 passes for 192 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The Browns were outplayed by a Commanders team led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who helped Washington dominate the game from start to finish.
Tempers reportedly flared on the sidelines during the game, with Watson and Stefanski seen exchanging heated words multiple times. Despite the growing frustrations and the Browns’ poor 1-4 start to the season, Stefanski stood by Watson as the team’s starting quarterback. “We’re not changing quarterbacks,” Stefanski said firmly. “We need to play better. I need to coach better. That’s what it comes down to.”
The Browns’ next challenge won’t get any easier as they prepare to face the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on the road. With Cleveland’s season teetering on the edge, Watson and the offense will need to find answers fast, and Stefanski will be tasked with fixing the communication and discipline issues that have plagued the team.
For Watson, the pressure continues to mount. Not only does he need to prove that he can still perform at an elite level, but he must also navigate the ongoing legal battles that have cast a shadow over his career.
As Cleveland looks for a way to salvage its season, all eyes will be on their embattled quarterback, who, despite his recent struggles, remains the centerpiece of the Browns’ future.
