Deshaun Watson has expressed skepticism about the idea that increasing designed quarterback runs will revitalize the Cleveland Browns’ offense. “I’m not going in there to ask them for more designed runs. … If I don’t have to run, I’m not going to run,” Watson stated Wednesday, per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. He emphasized that he’s not looking to take unnecessary hits, clarifying, “I’m not a running quarterback, in a sense. I can make things happen, but I’m not trying to run.”
Watson, who established himself as a dual-threat passer after entering the NFL in 2017, recorded over 400 rushing yards in each season from 2018 to 2020, totaling 1,677 rushing yards during his time with the Houston Texans from 2017 to 2021. However, his rushing production has declined since joining the Browns in March 2022, with only 317 combined rushing yards over the past two seasons. Notably, he hasn’t exceeded 50 rushing yards in a game since Week 9 of 2020.
The Browns currently rank 24th in the league for rushing offense, averaging 95.7 yards per game, and they have the second-lowest yards per play average at 3.8. This performance has been affected by the absence of star running back Nick Chubb, who was placed on the PUP list in August as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained during the 2023 season.
While Watson acknowledged that designed quarterback runs could assist the Browns’ run game, he believes that his recent shoulder surgery makes this a “lose-lose situation” for head coach Kevin Stefanski. “I won’t say that it won’t help out the offense as far as just a run game,” Watson said, “but coming back from (shoulder surgery), I don’t think that is high priority for (coach Kevin Stefanski) to put me in that situation.”
As of now, Watson ranks 27th among quarterbacks with a passer rating of 71.4. He has accumulated 551 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the early stages of the 2024 season. Compounding the challenges for Watson and the Browns’ offense are injuries along the offensive line. Guard Wyatt Teller has been placed on injured reserve due to a sprained MCL, while tackles Jack Conklin (hamstring) and Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) missed practice on Wednesday. Their absence could leave Watson vulnerable against the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense, as he has already been sacked a league-high 16 times in three games.
The Browns (1-2) are set to face the Raiders (1-2) on Sunday.
