Deshaun Watson addressed recent remarks made by Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who implied Watson might be struggling with his confidence. In Week 5, the Commanders dominated the Cleveland Browns, winning 34-13. Watson had one of his poorest performances of the season, leading to calls for him to be benched.
Watson finished the game with 125 passing yards and a late touchdown, but by then, the game was out of reach. Through five games, the Browns’ $230 million quarterback has ranked near the bottom in major passing statistics.
In an interview with 106.7 The Fan, Allen commented, “He looked like a player dealing with issues mentally, and it seems to be a confidence issue. Confidence is key, no matter how talented you are. Physically, he may not be as athletic as years ago, but he still has potential. Football is unpredictable.”
Watson responded by dismissing the notion that he lacks confidence, saying, “Every time I step on the field, I play confidently and focus on doing my job to the best of my ability. That’s Allen’s perspective, but I’ve played against him in both college and the NFL. When I’m out there, I’m confident and just aim to play my best football.”
Browns Sticking With Deshaun Watson as Starter
The Cleveland Browns will stick with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, despite growing national calls for him to be benched. Head coach Kevin Stefanski reaffirmed his support for Watson, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the team’s internal dynamics rather than outside opinions.
“I talk to Deshaun every day, as I do with many of our players,” Stefanski said. “Respectfully, our priority is what’s happening within our organization, not the noise outside.”
Stefanski continues to back Watson as the starter, stressing that improvement needs to come from the entire team. “It’s not about singling out any player’s confidence,” Stefanski added. “As a team — offense, defense, special teams — we need to play better. That’s our focus, more than confidence.”
Deshaun Watson Says Browns Teammates Have His Back
The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a variety of issues beyond Deshaun Watson, but as the quarterback, he hasn’t been the solution. Watson has struggled this season, throwing for 852 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, and holding a 9-8 record as Cleveland’s starter since being traded to the team in 2022.
Despite his underwhelming performance, Watson says he still has the backing of his teammates. “The guys in the locker room are making sure I keep my head up and stay focused. They’re encouraging me not to be too hard on myself,” Watson said. “I just need to keep working, trust them, trust myself, and perform at a high level.”
The Browns will look to bounce back this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, hoping to turn their season around.
