Kevin Stefanski – 1-4 Browns stick with Deshaun Watson as QB1

LANDOVER, Md. – The Cleveland Browns plan to keep Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback despite starting 1-4 and fielding the only offense in the NFL that has failed to reach 300 yards in a game this season.

“We don’t change quarterbacks,” coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday after the Browns’ 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders. “We have to play better. I need to train better.”

The Browns gained just 212 total yards and were 1 of 13 on third down as they lost their third straight game on Sunday. Watson completed 15 of 28 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown before being replaced by backup Jameis Winston for the final drive of the game. Watson was also sacked seven times – 26 times he was sacked the most in the league – and lost a fumble.

This season, Watson has completed 60.2% of his passes for 852 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He posted an overall QBR of 23.9, the lowest of any qualified passer this season.

“The offense is going to go as far as I can,” Watson said. “Ultimately, we don’t do enough offensively. As a quarterback, you take all the pressure. You take all the heat on yourself. You take all the blame. I have to find ways to bring everyone together, (figure out) how we can go out here on Sundays and eliminate any mistakes that cause us to get behind the eight ball and put ourselves in situations we don't want to be in . “

According to ESPN Research, the Browns have scored fewer than 20 points in all five games this season, their longest streak to start a season since 1999.

The 1-4 start is the worst since Stefanski took over as head coach in 2020, but Stefanski has given no indication that sweeping changes are coming. Ahead of Sunday's game, he said there had been no discussions about giving up his duties as match official.

“This is not a one-person offense,” Stefanski said. “We have the boys. We have the trainers. We’ll fix it.”