Tag: Deshaun Watson

HC Kevin Stefanski talks football with QB Deshaun Watson during podcast

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski joined Deshaun Watson on the QB Unplugged podcast

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski joined franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson at the opening of Watson’s new restaurant in Cleveland, Lefty’s Cheesesteaks. Stefanski hopped on the mic with Watson and quarterback trainer Quincy Avery for a live podcast of their show, QB Unplugged. Stefanski wore a Glenville High School sweatshirt to represent the city’s proud football culture. 

Stefanski spoke about football during his 20-minute interview. He and Watson spent some time breaking down a play-action pass from earlier in the season. The play occurred during a rainstorm against the Bengals. 

The two narrate the why behind the play, and how it unfolded in real time. Plays never look as clean as when they’re drawn up. The Bengals put pressure on Watson who stepped into the pocket and delivered a 35-yard strike to Elijah Moore for a first down. Stefanski expressed pride in Watson’s ability to navigate the pocket when the play went awry.

The quarterback and head coach were extremely complimentary of each other over the interview. The two seem to have a great relationship. The pair will need a strong bond for the team to be competitive in the postseason next year.

 

Browns: Deshaun Watson says he will be ready to start Week 1

Watson says he will play in the opener

One of the biggest question marks this offseason has been the health of quarterback Deshaun Watson after shoulder surgery. The Cleveland Browns will need Watson to return to form if they want to go deeper into the playoffs in 2024 after a first-round exit in 2023.

Speaking at an opening of a restaurant where he is an investor, Watson said he will be ready to play in week one. You still need to see him back on the field, but this could be huge for the Browns, knowing the offense must get on the same page.

The Browns have brought in several new coaches on the offensive side of the ball, and their scheme will look much different this season. That said, Watson must get as many reps as possible before the season so they can hit the ground running. It’s do-or-die this season for the Browns quarterback to prove he was worth the capital give up to get him.

Cheesesteak restaurant backed by Browns QB Deshaun Watson opening April 4

The quarterback will be back for the opening

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be back in town Thursday as a restaurant he is an investor in is set to open. Lefty’s Cheesesteaks will open on April 4 in University Heights, with Watson set to do a meet-and-greet during the grand opening.

“I’m extremely excited and so is Deshaun for us to expand into the backyard of where the company was founded in the state of Michigan,” said Lefty’s founder and CEO Sam Berry. “And it makes great sense seeing as we’re expanding the correct way with market research and logistics with our food supply vendor Miceli and Oldfield as our partners in this business venture.”

Lefty’s has several other locations, but this will be the first one in Ohio. Watson talked about getting involved in Cleveland after his contract was signed, and this could be that happening.

WATCH: Browns TE David Njoku joins Deshaun Watson’s podcast to talk toughness

Njoku talked about how bad some injuries actually are

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku went to Los Angeles this past week to get some practice in with quarterback Deshaun Watson, who continues to work his way back after shoulder surgery.

This is important because the two haven’t been able to get on the same page on the field, and we saw after Watson’s injury just how valuable Njoku can be to the Browns offense.

While appearing on Watson’s podcast QB Unplugged on Lockerverse, Njoku discussed injuries in the NFL. He said that fans and media only know a small fraction of the injuries and pain the players experience.

He pointed out how fans calling out players for being injured doesn’t make sense when they don’t know what the players routinely play through. The Browns dealt with a ton of injuries last season, and players found a way to fight through them and still win 11 games.

The NFL draft is just around the corner as the offseason rages on toward the 2024 season.

Browns Insider: QB Deshaun Watson on track for Week 1

The Browns quarterback had a successful throwing session in LA

The status of the shoulder of quarterback Deshaun Watson is one of the most important things facing the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

According to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, Watson got back to throwing last week, and it went well:

“By all accounts, Watson is in a great spot in his rehab, and on track to start the season. He’ll be in Cleveland for most or all of the offseason program, which begins April 15 with two weeks of conditioning, and runs through the mandatory minicamp in June. The Browns won’t rush Watson, but he’s expected to throw during organized team activities, which includes 11-on-11s, and the minicamp.”

A lot is riding on Watson’s return to health and playing at a high level, which isn’t something we have seen often since he came to Cleveland. Having him available for the offseason workouts is exactly the kind of news that fans want to hear with the NFL draft just around the corner.

Deshaun Watson issues ‘spooky’ warning to Steelers QB Russell Wilson

Browns QB Deshaun Watson warned Steelers QB Russell Wilson about the AFC North.

The AFC North just got a whole lot more interesting after the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent quarterback Russell Wilson. While they somehow managed to still make the playoffs with third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph under center, having a veteran winner like Wilson makes them a real contender.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson welcomed his counterpart to the division with a bit of a warning to him.

“Welcome to the AFC North, where things can get real spooky,” Watson said on the March 15 episode of his QB Unplugged podcast.

Watson followed the strange comment with some much due respect for the Steelers and how Mike Tomlin runs things.

“Pittsburgh is a good organization. It’s crazy for me to say it because I’m a Brown. I’m just keeping it 100,” Watson said. “At the end of the day, you have to give respect where respect is due. Tomlin is going to have them boys right. It made sense for [Wilson] to go there. They are going to compete.”

With the overhaul of the quarterback room and an offensive coordinator who knows what he’s doing, Pittsburgh has its first real chance since Ben Roethlisberger retired to bring fear to their opponents. The Steelers were a laughingstock with Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky under center and Matt Canada calling a predictable offense.

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Steelers acquire QB Justin Fields from the Bears

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields after dealing Kenny Pickett to the Eagles

The AFC North is stacked with even more star power. Days after signing Russell Wilson, the Steelers are trading a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields.

Pittsburgh is making the move a day after trading Kenny Pickett and a fourth-round pick in next month’s draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round selections.

Fields was expected to be on the move, with the Bears fielding trade inquiries about the former No. 11 overall pick. Chicago is widely expected to draft USC’s Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in April.

Fields has played all three of his NFL seasons for the Bears, throwing for 6,674 yards and 40 touchdowns.

He’ll now back up Wilson while taking a step back and continuing to learn as he prepares to be the Steelers quarterback of the future.

Saints to release Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas in procedural moves Wednesday

As was expected, the Saints will release Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas in procedural moves on Wednesday. Here’s what it means for the salary cap:

We knew this was coming, but now it’s confirmed, and there’s no going back. The New Orleans Saints will be releasing quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Michael Thomas on Wednesday with post-June 1 designations, per Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald, making both of them unrestricted free agents. A number of other players around the league are being let go with the same designation, including Odell Beckham Jr.

It’s unclear whether Thomas was given permission to begin speaking with other teams prior to being released, like Winston, but that’s a reasonable assumption. In Winston’s case, he already knows where he’ll be playing football in 2024: the Cleveland Browns. Winston has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million. He’ll be backing up Deshaun Watson who is still recovering from season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder in 2023.

Teams are only allowed to designate two releases as post-June 1 cuts each offseason, which is done for accounting purposes to help manage the salary cap. Here are the remaining salary cap hits the Saints will carry in 2024 and 2025 after moving on from both players:

  • 2024: $15.69 million in total. $11.1 million (for Thomas) and $4.59 million (for Winston). This is about 6.1% of the salary cap
  • 2025: $16.54 million in total. $9.18 million (for Thomas) and $7.36 million (for Winston). This is about 5.9% of an estimated $280 million salary cap

It’s frustrating to lose so much salary cap space for players no longer on the roster, but that’s the cost of doing business sometimes. And things will get a little easier for the Saints on June 2, at which point they will get some cap relief. They’ll receive a $2.42 million cap credit for both players’ base salaries coming off the books, which can go towards signing their rookie draft class.

We’ll see what’s next for both of them, and for the Saints. Players come and go but the NFL’s calendar keeps moving on.

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Jameis Winston comments on his decision to join the Browns

Jameis Winston commented on his decision to join the Browns, saying he sees Cleveland as a great opportunity:

Why is Jameis Winston planning to sign with the Cleveland Browns for 2024 if he had his hopes set on competing for a starting quarterback job? The New Orleans Saints free agent shared his thought process after news broke of his impending departure, and he sees Cleveland as a great opportunity to help a team reach the Super Bowl while getting chances to play with a starter on the mend.

Deshaun Watson is coming off of a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder, and he hasn’t met expectations after the Browns made a historic investment to acquire him. Winston sees this as a good place to be a supporter, and, if needed, fill in should Watson miss more time.

“Yes, I still envision myself as a starter, however the Lord has also called me to lead by impacting and increasing the men who are around me,” Winston told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. “Having the opportunity to work with Deshaun and help him be the best he can possibly be, is my main mission. Now, if Deshaun has to heal up for whatever reason, and I have to take a few games off of him, I’m going to be ready to do that; but I have to fulfill God’s purpose first before my own heart’s desire. Because ultimately I desire to win some Super Bowls, and this roster that Cleveland got, looks like they can do it.”

The Saints went 5-2 with Winston starting under Sean Payton back in 2021, but back-to-back injuries and poor play-calling from Pete Carmichael caused Winston’s performance to nosedive. He’s thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (6) in limited appearances over the last two seasons.

But, as he said, the Browns present a good opportunity. Watson missed 11 games last year recovering from shoulder surgery. He’s thrown more interceptions (9) than Winston over the last two seasons, and there are high expectations for him to deliver on what the Browns promised when they traded so many draft picks for him and guaranteed his entire contract.

Something to keep in mind: the Browns will visit the Saints at the Caesars Superdome during the 2024 season. There’s a chance it could be Winston, not Watson, under center when the time comes.

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Report: Browns closing in on deal with Jameis Winston

Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz says the Cleveland Browns are closing in on a deal with Jameis Winston:

Jameis Winston is closing in on a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, which would shut the door on his time with the New Orleans Saints. Winston had previously said he hoped to find a team where he could compete for a starting job, but instead he’ll be backing up Deshaun Watson if this deal goes through.

It makes sense when you look at the money: a maximum value of $8.7 million, Schultz says, which is more than twice what Winston received from the Saints last year. Fine money for a backup, and he had his choice of options after other teams expressed interest in his services.

And this might be a better opportunity than it first appears. Watson missed most of the 2023 season recovering from an injured throwing shoulder, and if durability continues to be a problem for him then Winston could get on the field for Cleveland in 2024.

Of course we aren’t crossing the finish line just yet. Deals may be agreed to right now but they can’t be signed until after Wednesday’s 3 p.m. CT deadline. The Jacksonville Jaguars learned that the hard way when former Saints kicker Wil Lutz backed out of an agreement to stay with the Denver Broncos. But it sure looks like Winston will be out of New Orleans very soon.

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