Browns QB Deshaun Watson Fires Back at Critics Ahead of Playoffs
Ahead of the final week of the season, Deshaun Watson clarified his relationship with the Cleveland Browns and directly addressed his critics with a pointed message.
Watson has been recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery. He’s spent a chunk of time in Los Angeles for his rehab, away from the team. However, Watson has remained in close contact with the team.
“They look good. I talk to Kevin [Stefanski] every week, [Andrew Berry] every week,” Watson said during his podcast QB Unplugged with Quincy Avery. “I talk to Jimmy Haslam every week.”
The Browns will have started five different quarterbacks this season after Sunday. Watson, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, PJ Walker and Joe Flacco have all started games this season. Newly signed veteran Jeff Driskel will start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Flacco has thrived with the Browns, going 4-1 and passing for over 300 yards in four consecutive games. With the offense firing on all cylinders under Flacco, Watson has come under fire from critics. However, he’s nothing but happy about the Browns’ success.
“They win and go to the Bowl, I’m going to the Bowl. They get a ring, I’m getting a ring,” said Watson, who is on a $230 million fully guaranteed contract. “I ain’t tripping on none of that. I’m hurt so I can’t do nothing. People just want something to say and talk about. It’s all personal for them. This s**t entertaining for me.”
Deshaun Watson Says Browns ‘Setting the Tone’
Watson is one of many key injuries the Browns have suffered this season. Cleveland currently has 14 players on injured reserve which accounts for an NFL-high 26.63% of their cap space. Watson praised the Browns for their resilience this season and for changing the way the franchise is viewed.
“It’s like it’s a culture thing. It just shows that this is the Cleveland Browns,” Watson said. “Previously, by looking at Cleveland you might think, ‘Oh, they got some talent. They should do this but it’s the same old.’ We have almost 18 guys or IR and I think like 12 of them are starters. A lot of other guys are banged up. This is what Cleveland is all about. And we setting a tone. The guys that weren’t expecting to play, they are playing. This is the reason I came to Cleveland.”
Watson was 5-1 this season as the starting quarterback for the Browns. He finished the year with 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
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