Coach Kevin Stefanski shares thoughts on Deshaun Watson's poor outing in Browns debut



by   |  VIEW 292

Coach Kevin Stefanski shares thoughts on Deshaun Watson's poor outing in Browns debut

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski didn't sound too concerned following Deshaun Watson's rough outing in his Browns debut. On Friday, Watson made his Browns debut in the team's preseason opener versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Watson went just 1-of-5 for seven yards. Still, the Browns managed to claim a 24-13 victory over the Jaguars. “I think he probably wants some throws back,” Stefanski said, via ProFootballTalk. “Obviously, playing football for the first time in a while, I thought it was important to get out there with his teammates in this scheme, just hearing a different voice in the helmet, those type of things.

I’m sure he had the butterflies and the jitters early. But I think he understands there’s work to do”.

Stefanski: It was important for Watson to get some playing time

Watson was playing his first game in a year and a half as he sat out the entire 2021 season.

“I think this was important for him to get out there in a game setting, under the lights, with new teammates and go operate,” Stefanski said. “It wasn’t going to be perfect. And even if it was perfect, you can’t overreact to that either.

So I just think it was all part of the progression for him”. Meanwhile, Watson expressed his remorse for his off-field actions. "I'm truly sorry to all the women that I've impacted in this situation," Watson said. "My decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position, I would definitely like to have back.

I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character. I want to keep pushing forward." Disciplinary officer Judge Sue Robinson handed Watson a six-game suspension for violating the league's conduct policy.

The NFL appealed the fine and there is a chance Watson receives an even lengthier suspension. In any case, Watson is expected to miss the start of the regular season. His priority is to be ready when he is allowed to take on the field.

"I know I have a lot of work to put in, especially on the field to make sure I'm ready to play whenever that time comes whenever I can step back on the field," Watson said. "The biggest thing is I want to continue counseling.

I want to make sure I'm growing as a person, as an individual for my decision-making on and off the field. I want to make sure that I am evolving in the community as much as possible. And that's for the Cleveland community, that's for the NFL community and beyond."