Kevin Stefanski, head coach of the Cleveland Browns, shed light on the drama that unfolded when quarterback Deshaun Watson unexpectedly walked off the field during Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Commanders. In a game that saw Cleveland continue its season struggles, the Browns fell 34-13 to a determined Washington team, driven by the standout performance of Jayden Daniels.
The incident took place in the third quarter when Cleveland, facing a daunting 21-point deficit, found itself with a critical 4th-and-goal situation. In a bid to spark some momentum, Stefanski opted to keep the offense on the field rather than settle for a field goal. But just as the Browns readied to attempt the fourth-down conversion, Watson inexplicably exited the field, leaving the Browns with no choice but to kick. This decision left many puzzled, including Stefanski, who removed his headset in frustration and had a heated exchange with Watson on the sidelines.
Addressing the chaos after the game, Stefanski explained that the confusion stemmed from a miscount of players on the field. “We had the wrong amount of people in the huddle, and then at that point, we were just going to kick the field goal,” he clarified.
Taking ownership of the errors, he added, “Obviously, we had penalties and some miscommunications which are completely on me. That looks like losing football to me, I’ll get it fixed.” Stefanski’s admission highlighted the costly nature of repeated mistakes, including having 12 players on the field multiple times—a blunder that has plagued the Browns this season.
Watson echoed similar sentiments during his own postgame press conference, lamenting the team’s tendency to self-sabotage. “We shoot ourselves in the foot. It is tough,” he admitted. “The offense is going to go as far as I go… so, at the end of the day, we’re not doing enough offensively. We have got to figure it out quickly.” When pressed about the confusion during the pivotal play, Watson noted, “Too many men in the huddle and that was it. We just have got to lock in, that’s all I can say right now.”
The Browns’ dismal showing wasn’t limited to the mental mistakes. Watson faced relentless pressure throughout the game, being sacked seven times as Cleveland struggled to generate any offensive rhythm. While the team eventually found the end zone in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Jordan Akins, it was too little, too late. Washington had already pulled away, thanks to a strong third quarter featuring a three-yard touchdown run from Jeremy McNichols and a field goal by Austin Seibert.
The frustrations of Browns fans have been mounting, especially considering Watson’s high-profile acquisition and his off-field controversies. Watson, traded to Cleveland in 2022 for six draft picks, including three first-rounders, signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with the team.
However, his tenure in Cleveland has been marred by legal issues and a lengthy suspension. Recently, a new lawsuit surfaced, alleging sexual misconduct, adding further distractions to an already troubled season.
As the Browns stumble to a 1-4 start, calls for change have grown louder, with some fans questioning whether Watson should remain the starter. Despite the criticism, Stefanski maintained his confidence in Watson, stating, “We’re not changing quarterbacks. We need to play better. I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.” The focus, he stressed, is on addressing the mistakes and preparing for the next challenge against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The game against Washington left the Browns with more questions than answers. For a team that invested heavily in Watson, the expectations have been sky-high, yet the results have fallen far short. With a tough road game against the Eagles looming, Cleveland faces a critical juncture in its season. Can Stefanski and Watson turn things around, or will the Browns’ struggles continue to deepen? One thing is certain—both the coach and his quarterback have their work cut out for them.
