Stephen A. Smith highlighted the challenges Deshaun Watson faces when it comes to securing his job as Cleveland's starter. Smith's comments come as uncertainty surrounds the Browns' quarterback position for the upcoming season.

Analyst Stephen A.Smith has seemingly suggested it will be an easy choice for the Browns. Speaking to Dan Orlovsky, Smith said that it may be time for Watson to hang up his boots if he cannot secure the starting position this season.

"I'm going to bring up the name Deshaun Watson," before reading out his stats across the last four seasons. However, Smith had nothing flattering to say about Watson's 19 starts.

"Among 50 quarterbacks with at least 500 pass attempts since 2022, he was 42nd in completions, 48th in pass yards per attempt, 42nd in passer rating, and had the second-worst sack rate behind only Justin Fields," Stephen A.Smith.

He continued, “My god, how awful can you be? There's nowhere to go but up. Let me look into national TV and tell Deshaun Watson this: Considering the Cleveland situation, combined with the money you're still owed, if you can't win the starting job in Cleveland this year, you need to retire,” added the analyst.

Deshaun Watson moved to the Cleveland Browns in 2022 following his five-year, $230 million contract with the Houston Texans. His time with the Browns has seen a dip in his play and several injury setbacks, including a torn Achilles in 2024 and 2025.

This was in stark contrast to his time with the Houston Texans. Since being drafted in 2017, he won Pro Bowl honours for three years in a row from 2018 to 2020. Watson had a standout 2020 season where he threw 4,823 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions, a franchise record.

Todd Monken will not decide Deshaun Watson’s fate

With the Browns' starting quarterback position still undecided, head coach Todd Monken said he will not be the one to make the final call just yet.

Speaking at the NFL Combine, Monken told reporters that the Browns will head into the preseason with the position up for grabs. “Now, you’re gonna have some preconceived notions, obviously, because we have prior evidence. But I don’t decide who plays. The players decide who plays. I’ve never decided who plays,” said Monken.

Monken, however, did appear to indicate that Watson's once elite-level plays may be a factor to consider.

Speaking to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, he said, “When you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level, I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of them again. I’m gonna let it play out.”

So has Deshaun Watson warranted a starting berth based on his past glory? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi