Deshaun Watson was once at the center of a polarizing time in Houston Texans history, and that trend has followed the three-time Pro Bowler to the Cleveland Browns. While his current situation is complicated for starkly different reasons, Watson appears to be stirring the pot about his current head coach.
Now, Watson is sidelined while recovering from a second Achilles rupture that has his playing status for 2025 in significant doubt.
The Browns are 2-5 and head coach Kevin Stefanski faces speculation about his job security.
Ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson Likes Video Ripping Browns HC
Getty ImagesDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Carolina Panthers.
Watson liked a video rant from “Chad The Dumb Browns Fan,” in which the superfan questioned whether Stefanski had ruined QBs, including the former Texans star, noting they are better after leaving.
“Chad” cited Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield, an MVP candidate this season. He also cited an example from this season in Joe Flacco.
The Browns traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, their AFC North rivals, before Week 7.
“Holy s***, Dawg Pound,” the podcaster said in a video on X on October 18. “I got something I had to show you guys immediately. Y’all know I’ve been on here ripping this Kevin Stefanski offense. I’ve been saying Kevin Stefansky has to go, as a matter of fact. Just a few days ago I [questioned Stefanski in another video]. Well, look who just favorited that video.
“Does that mean Deshaun agrees? Does deshaun just like me crashing the f*** out like I always do? I don’t know. All I do know is that every quarterback that leaves Kevin Stefanski goes off to be a better quarterback.” There’s never a dull moment in Cleveland.”
Watson is under contract through 2026 on a $230 million pact that, conjunction with his health and poor play, has made it impossible for the Browns to trade him so far.
The 2025 NFL trade deadline is on November 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
Texans, Browns on Different Trajectories
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans walks off the field after defeating the Baltimore Ravens.
Watson has appeared in 19 games since the Texans traded him to the Browns in 2022. He has thrown for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions on 61.2% completion and a 9-10 record as the Browns’ starter.
Watson left the Texans via trade during the 2022 offseason with a 12,539-104-36 career line.
Injuries have layed a significant role in his decline in production, but his increasing readiness has only added further intrigue around Stefanski’s job security.
WEWS’ Camryn Justice reported on Browns guard Joel Bitonio showing support for Stefanski after their latest loss, a 31-6 rout at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. However, it remains unclear if that will save the 2020 and 2023 Coach of the Year with his 42-49 record in Cleveland.
Notably, the Texans were 4-12 with Watson in 2020, but he did lead the NFL in passing yards.
The Texans posted back-to-back losing seasons in 2021 and 2022, with head coaching changes either before or during both campaigns and current QB2 Davis Mills starting in Watson’s place.
They have since gone 20-14 with DeMeco Ryans as head coach and C.J. Stroud quarterbacking the team. They got off to an 0-3 start this season, but have won each of their last two game heading into “Monday Night Football” in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Former Texans QB Deshaun Watson Makes Waves Amid Swirling Speculation appeared first on Heavy Sports.