In football, the relationship between the head coach and the starting quarterback holds deep significance. As a result, the two must find a way to work harmoniously for the team to win. Now, with a new head coach, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson plots a course to compete for the starting job. A member of his inner circle recently spoke about the Browns’ former head coach while looking ahead.
Deshaun Watson Ally Blames Former Browns HC Kevin Stefanski for Struggles
For the first time in nearly two years, Watson hopes to take the field as a member of the Browns. Consecutive Achilles tears prevented a return, but now he is back on the field.
ESPN writers Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler discussed Watson’s future, and a source close to the Browns quarterback revealed why he was unable to perform under former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“‘He understands why fans are frustrated,'” the source said. “The way [Stefanski] wanted him to play didn’t fit his style.”
Cleveland traded multiple first-round draft picks to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans. While with the Texans, he made three Pro Bowls in four seasons, throwing for 14,539 yards while completing 67.8% of his passes, and made the playoffs twice.
When the Browns traded for him, they expected similar success. Moreover, Stefanski did not seem to want a wide-open style, one that Watson thrived in. The former Browns’ head coach wanted to run the ball. His rushing offenses ranked in the Top 10 on three separate occasions.
In contrast, Watson preferred an offense that allowed him to stretch the film vertically and horizontally. Receivers were always more important to the former Clemson star than running backs, and Houston allowed him to move the ball through the air.
Now, new head coach Todd Monken, who runs a different, spread-oriented attack, will install a new scheme. The former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator wants a quarterback who can move the pocket while still looking to throw on fakes and bootlegs. Pocket motion will also fatigue pass rushers, especially if they need to change direction to chase the quarterback.
According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Browns had the worst offense in the league last season. They posted an impact score of 52.0, and the team is expected to significantly improve in Monken’s first season.
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Watson will need to defeat Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel to win the starting quarterback job. Sanders made the Pro Bowl last season as a late replacement, yet that did not happen during Monken’s tenure. Now, all the quarterbacks on the roster are part of the battle.
Now, the real challenge begins for Watson. Can he stay healthy after missing the last 27 regular-season games?
