“He couldn’t throw a pass past 5 yards,” Stephen A. Smith lambasts Deshaun Watson over his horrific performance against the Dallas Cowboys

Deshaun Watson threw 2 interceptions on opening night, which cost the Browns the game against the Cowboys.

“He couldn’t throw a pass past 5 yards,” Stephen A. Smith lambasts Deshaun Watson over his horrific performance against the Dallas Cowboys

Stephen A. Smith and Deshaun Watson (Images via IMAGO)

The Cleveland Browns had a disastrous start to the 2024-25 season. On an opening night that had multiple storylines in the form of Tom Brady’s debut in the broadcasting booth and Dak Prescott signing a massive four-year extension with the Cowboys just hours before kickoff, an unexpected name ended up becoming the highlight of the night. That name is Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson was in the highlight for all the wrong reasons, again. The quarterback failed to get anything going as he struggled to find his receivers and failed to complete throws.

YouTube video

His performance on opening night left many concerned, including ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith, who was horrified at Watson’s performance. Stephen A. Smith spared no punches as he referred to the Browns as being ‘trash’.

FS Video
They were horrible, I'm not saying they were a horrible team but they might have a horrible quarterback. We don't know that yet. I'm certainly not going to sit up there and say that about Deshaun Watson definitively but...my god. It's really really bad, I mean Houston was a long long time ago.
Stephen A. Smith said via First Take

The analyst is still willing to give Watson some time before he categorizes him as a horrible quarterback. Watson struggled all night. There is no other way to put it.

Watson completed 24 of 45 passes and threw for 169 yards and 1 touchdown. He was just not able to throw long-range passes, which has to be concerning for the Browns. 

It looks so bad for Deshaun Watson right now. I mean 0-10 passing on throws of 15 or more yards on Sunday... I mean he couldn't throw a pass past 5 yards. It was that bad.
Stephen A. Smith added
RELATED
(Video) ‘Wild’ Raiders fan body slams female fan and leaves another man unconscious covered in blood
Las Vegas Raiders fans bloodies one Los Angeles Chargers fan and body slams another outside SoFi Stadium

Stephen A. Smith is tired of the excuses surrounding Deshaun Watson

The analyst acknowledged the fact that the Browns did not have their starting two tackles and Nick Chubb. However, Watson did have enough weapons to put up a strong fight against the Cowboys. He had Amari Cooper, who finished with 2 receptions and 16 yards, and David Njoku, who had 4 receptions for 44 yards. The quarterback failed to get the ball into their hands at the right time so that they would have been able to have a bigger impact on the game.

Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)

Stephen A. Smith is tired of the excuses. The Browns have a new offensive coordinator in Ken Dorsey and while many are citing this as the reason for Deshaun Watson’s slow start, the analyst is not having any of it. 

Figure it out. Nobody want to hear that. You got $230 million...nobody wants to hear that 'You know, it's going to take some time.' Well, you had enough damn time.
Stephen A. Smith said

Smith believes that had the offense been able to put up a strong fight, then the outcome of the game could have been different. But after Watson threw two interceptions, the Browns defense was left scrambling on the field for most of the night. It was demoralizing for the team, which ultimately cost them the game.

This year, Deshaun Watson must perform. The quarterback has never been the same since his last season in Houston. If he fails yet again this season, there is a possibility of him losing his status as a starting QB in the NFL.

In case you missed it: