Deshaun Watson is facing criticism from NFL fans and analysts after another underwhelming performance in the Browns' 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 5. With the Cleveland Browns having won only one game this season, calls are growing for Watson to be benched.
On Wednesday, Watson sent a clear message to those saying he should get benched.
“First off, I don’t hear it, I don’t see it,” he said, per Mary Kay Cabot. “So I’m not on Twitter (X), I’m not on any social media or things like that. So anytime that stuff comes up, the only time I first hear it is either you guys are bringing it up or somebody else outside and I just don’t know who it’s coming from. So that’s one thing. And then also it’s a new opportunity, it’s a new week, you know what I’m saying?"
Deshaun Watson has looked lost on the field in the first five games of the season. He has completed 106 of 176 passing attempts (60.2%) for 852 yards and five touchdowns. He has been intercepted three times and unable to make a true impact on the Browns offense outside an 18-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.
He posted his second-worst completion percentage over the weekend, 53.6%, only 0.3% more than the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Shannon Sharpe compares Deshaun Watson to Ben Simmons
Former NFL player turned analyst Shannon Sharpe compared Deshaun Watson's falloff to Ben Simmons, another star whose level decreased drastically after a career-altering moment.
On Monday's edition of his Nightcap show, Sharpe said that Watson and Simmons might be going through the same thing.
“I don’t think Deshaun, I don’t think what happened--same thing, look at Ben Simmons,” Sharpe said. “Look at Ben Simmons in basketball, Ocho. All-Defensive, All-Star, All-NBA, Rookie of the Year; yeah, he got hurt, but his mentality was that what happened in Philly. [13:30]
"Y’all remember I said he was never going to be the same. His coach and the best player on the team (Joel Embiid) criticized him. I said it’s over. I said he was done in Philly.”
Deshaun Watson starred in an eyebrow-raising moment with coach Kevin Stefanski on Sunday, which could be the start of the end of his tenure in Cleveland.
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