Terry Bradshaw left his FOX colleagues stunned with a controversial comment about Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during Sunday’s postgame coverage. The Hall of Fame quarterback, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories, stirred the pot with his choice of words while discussing Watson’s ongoing struggles following the Browns’ 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders in Washington, D.C.
Watson, who has faced consistent scrutiny since joining the Browns, had another rough outing on Sunday. He completed only 50 percent of his passes, throwing for just 125 yards with no touchdowns. The Browns, now 1-4, are reeling from a disappointing start to the season, and Watson’s lackluster performance is drawing increasing criticism from both fans and analysts.
As the FOX NFL postgame crew discussed Cleveland’s defeat, Bradshaw made a comment that caught everyone off guard. Referring to Watson’s poor play, he suggested that the Browns should consider making a major change at quarterback. “Do you put Watson down now?” Bradshaw asked, implying that the team might be better off without him in the starting role. “He has not played well since he has been in Cleveland.”
The reaction from Bradshaw’s co-hosts was immediate. Howie Long, clearly taken aback, quickly jumped in to soften Bradshaw’s harsh words. “I wouldn’t put him down. I’d want to sit him,” Long said, emphasizing that the phrase “put down” could be interpreted as unnecessarily harsh.
Michael Strahan echoed Long’s sentiment, pointing out the severity of Bradshaw’s phrasing. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. That was a little harsh,” Strahan added, suggesting that Bradshaw’s remark might have crossed the line.
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Bradshaw, now 76, has built a reputation for speaking his mind without holding back, and this wasn’t the first time his candid remarks have caused a stir. Known for his blunt, off-the-cuff style, Bradshaw has often delivered bold takes, even if they sometimes land in controversial territory. However, his suggestion to “put down” Watson seemed to raise eyebrows for its unusually strong language.
Despite the uproar over Bradshaw’s comments, his criticism does reflect the growing frustration with Watson’s tenure in Cleveland. The quarterback, who signed a record-breaking $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns in 2022, has yet to live up to the lofty expectations set for him. Watson missed much of last season due to a suspension related to off-field legal issues, and his on-field performances since his return have been underwhelming.
With the Browns now at 1-4, questions are swirling about Watson’s ability to lead the team and whether the investment Cleveland made in him was worth it. Yet, despite Watson’s struggles, head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear after the game that the team has no plans to bench the quarterback.
“We’re not changing quarterbacks,” Stefanski told reporters during his postgame press conference. “We need to play better. I need to coach better.”
Stefanski’s statement underscores the Browns’ commitment to Watson, at least for the time being. With such a significant financial and organizational investment in the quarterback, it seems unlikely that the team would move away from him so early in his tenure. However, the pressure is undoubtedly mounting on both Watson and Stefanski as the Browns continue to stumble through the season.
As for Bradshaw’s bold critique, it’s just another example of the legendary quarterback’s unfiltered approach to sports analysis. While his phrasing might have been more forceful than necessary, the sentiment reflects the larger conversation happening around Watson’s struggles and the Browns’ disappointing season.
With more than half the season still ahead, Watson will have the opportunity to prove his critics wrong, but the clock is ticking. The Browns’ fortunes—and Watson’s reputation—could hinge on his ability to turn things around before the team’s playoff hopes slip away. For now, the debate about Watson’s future continues, with voices like Bradshaw adding fuel to the fire.
