Shannon Sharpe slams Kevin Stefanski for relying on Deshaun Watson despite disappointing performances for Browns

What happens when a $230 million investment leads you straight to Quarterback Hell ? For the Cleveland Browns , it’s a week-by-week disaster. Kevin Stefanski insists Deshaun Watson is their best shot, but his lackluster performance against the Eagles begs to differ. At 1-5 and struggling to score over 20 points, fans are asking: “How good of a chance is he?” With Watson's -66.2 total EPA marking historic lows, it’s clear this hefty investment may have been a costly mistake.

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From $230 Million to Quarterback hell



$230 million can purchase many things, but for the Cleveland Browns, it has led them straight to Quarterback Hell. Despite Kevin Stefanski's attempts to reassure fans that all is well on this sinking ship, Shannon Sharpe remains skeptical and refuses to buy into the narrative.


This week, Stefanski dropped a bombshell that left Browns fans collectively facepalming. “I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win,” he declared, seemingly oblivious to Watson’s 16-of-23, 168-yard, zero-touchdown snooze-fest against the Eagles. It’s like claiming a paper airplane offers the best chance to win the Indy 500.


Let’s talk numbers: the Browns sit at a dismal 1-5, marking their worst start since 2017. They've struggled to find the end zone, failing to score over 20 points in any of their first six games—a dubious feat they haven't accomplished in a decade. Sharpe, never one to hold back, put it bluntly on the Nightcap YouTube show:“How about this: he gives you your best chance to win but you’re not winning. Okay, so how good of a chance is he?” (via: EssentiallySports)



Watson’s struggles aren’t just bad; they’re historically bad. His -66.2 total EPA marks the lowest for a quarterback since 2000. Even JaMarcus Russell, from his place in QB purgatory, might quip, “At least I wasn’t that bad.” So, what’s Stefanski’s answer? “We need to play really good offensive football at his position and really good football at every other position to be successful.” Groundbreaking insight, coach.


Sharpe, clearly exasperated, nailed it: “Wow, yeah, that is some great coaching. That is some motivational stuff right there.” The sarcasm was palpable. And here’s the kicker: the Browns are shelling out $45 million for this so-called “motivation.”


The $230 million burden weighing down Cleveland

While Stefanski plays fantasy football with real NFL players, the Browns are sinking faster than the Titanic in a storm. Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson wisely notes, “Everything we invest in, we not gonna get a return on,” and the Browns are flushing their future down the drain.


Their outlook is grimmer than a George R.R. Martin novel, sitting $40 million over next season’s salary cap, with Watson’s contract acting like a financial black hole. They’re even trading away stars like Amari Cooper just to stay afloat. As Sharpe pointed out, “It’s hard to get off it because you want to see some kind of dividend.”


The kicker? They can’t cut ties with Watson, whose contract is stickier than flypaper, keeping them bound until at least 2025 unless a miracle trade occurs. The Browns have dug a hole so deep they might strike oil, staring down years of mediocrity because they refuse to admit they’ve hitched their wagon to a falling star. As Sharpe said, “Sometimes you gotta cut your losses.” But for now, they seem content to keep Watson at the helm, steering straight for the NFL’s basement—a full-blown demolition, not just a rebuild.


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