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By this point, everyone but the very top of the Cleveland Browns organizational chain understands that the Cleveland Browns need to bench Deshaun Watson and move on from one of the worst mistakes in franchise history.
Just how bad has Deshaun Watson been? It’s truly historic, and some stats revealed on Monday show that he’s having one of the worst quarterback seasons of all-time.
The Cleveland Browns lost once again on Sunday to fall to a disastrous 1-5. For a team that was considered a likely playoff team by many heading into the year, that’s a disappointment. While plenty of players have disappointed and they haven’t been great in any facet, Deshaun Watson is the biggest issue.
The Browns traded a ton of assets and signed Watson to a $230 million fully-guaranteed deal before the 2022 season despite legal issues stemming from sexual harassment allegations. After serving an eleven-game suspension in 2022, the Browns were hoping he’d pick up where he left off with the Texans as a solid quarterback that frequently played like a star. But, he’s been terrible, and this year has been especially disastrous.
The raw stats are bad. Through six games, Deshaun Watson is averaging just 170 yards per game, and has 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. But, those aren’t the worst numbers of all-time, though five yards per attempt is truly miserable.
But, it’s the advanced stats where things get bad. Take a look at these numbers cultivated by ESPN NFL writer Bill Barnwell.
New free column: It's time for the Browns to give up on Deshaun Watson, who is off to the worst start in modern league history.
Since 2007, out of 566 passers through six weeks, Watson ranks:
QBR: 558th
Yds/Dropback: 565th
First Down Rate: 566thhttps://t.co/2sRVcLHv8W pic.twitter.com/qTubGAAztL— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) October 14, 2024
The Browns offense, out of 798 teams through six games since 2000:
Red Zone trips: tied for 784th
Offensive Penalties: tied for 795th
Yards to go on third down: 795th
Third Down Conversion Rate: 797thhttps://t.co/2sRVcLHv8W pic.twitter.com/F9YldVdOEA— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) October 14, 2024
Those stats are truly shocking. Yes, Cleveland has had key injuries on the offensive line and pass protection hasn’t been good. But, look around the NFL. Plenty of teams have poor pass protection on a weekly basis. Watson is consistently the worst performing quarterback in the league.
On Monday, Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski was asked why he keeps sticking with Watson. He gave a non-answer.
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, on why he is sticking with QB Deshaun Watson: “I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win.“
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2024
That, to me, sounds like a coach that knows what the right thing to do is but is being told no by someone higher up, likely owner Jimmy Haslam.
Sadly, this nightmare seems far from over.