The Cleveland Browns' season is all but over just five weeks into the year, and they have no one to blame but themselves. Despite Deshaun Watson averaging just 170 yards per game to go along with a 74.8 passer rating, the Browns inexcusably continue to march him onto the field. And that won't be changing anytime soon.
Immediately following their 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders, head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear that Watson will continue to be the starter.
"We're not changing quarterbacks," Stefanski said. "We need to play better. I need to coach better."
The Browns are just the sixth team since 2000 to be held to less than 300 yards of offense and score less than 20 points in each of their first five games. They join the 2019 Dolphins, 2010 Panthers, 2006 Dolphins, 2004 Dolphins, and 2001 Washington teams as the only squads to do so.
At this point, it feels evident that Stefanski may not be allowed to bench Watson, considering the Browns are still on the hook to pay him $230 million, all of which is fully guaranteed. That said, at what point do you just rip off the band-aid and move on? Because there are 52 other guys in the locker room who want to win, and are actively being prevented from reaching their goals by a guy who can't play.
