In a standout performance on Sunday, Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made headlines with a remarkable 66-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, showcasing his ability to escape pressure and make plays. His efforts were key to the Commanders’ decisive 34-13 victory, despite an early red zone interception.
In contrast, Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns struggled offensively throughout the game. The Commanders’ defense held the Browns scoreless until late in the fourth quarter, forcing seven punts and limiting them to just one successful third-down conversion out of 13 attempts.
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This season, the Browns have yet to break the 20-point mark in any game, leaving them near the bottom in both points and passing yards per game. Watson’s performance has been lackluster as he has not surpassed 200 passing yards in any matchup yet. Against a defense that typically allows over 350 yards per game, he managed only 125 yards and took seven sacks.
Even with the offensive woes, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that there are no plans to switch quarterbacks at this time. He emphasized that improvement is needed from everyone involved.
Amari Cooper echoed this sentiment, stating that Watson isn’t the sole problem, and there’s room for the team to enhance their performance. However, many would argue that Watson’s shortcomings have been glaring, especially when compared to Joe Flacco, who led the Browns to a better record and impressive stats in his brief time as starter last season.
With Flacco now playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland appears to be regressing, all while Watson’s massive contract — a five-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $230 million — looms large as one of the franchise’s worst decisions.
Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield, the former quarterback who was replaced by Watson, is thriving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, proving that the Browns may have made a miscalculation in their choice to trade for Watson instead of sticking with Mayfield.
The Browns’ situation reflects a pattern in their history with quarterbacks, as they grapple with the reality that their latest decision may be their most regrettable yet.