Cleveland Browns get their Nick Chubb wish as Deshaun Watson’s tears, after pregame boos, signal change at quarterback
Kevin Stefanski has been insistent that the Cleveland Browns would not be moving on at quarterback.
But on Sunday afternoon, Deshaun Watson and his $230million contract may have given the franchise the chance to move on under center.
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Watson's historically bad play has been criticism by media analysts and Browns fans alike as Cleveland have struggled to a 1-5 start.
However, against AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, Watson was carted off the field in tears with a non-contact injury.
Initial observations suggestions his leg had buckled under him with no other players in close quarters - and he was ruled out in the third quarter with an Achilles injury, according to sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala
As he left the field, Dorian Thompson-Robinson came into the action with regular backup Jameis Winston inactive for the game.
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Winston did eventually enter the game when Thompson-Robinson went down injured in the second half - and it was Winston who threw the Browns only touchdown of the game.
Watson has done little to endear himself to the Cleveland fans in the three seasons he has been with the franchise - he was booed onto the field as part of the pregame entrances at Huntington Bank Field.
The nature of Watson's first half exit will prompt concerns about how long he may be sidelined - but despite the struggles Stefanski had been steadfast in the fast of criticism over the last few weeks.
"I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win," Stefanski had insisted earlier this week when asked whether Watson would remain the starter.
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In contrast to the quarterback's value to the fans, running back Nick Chubb was active for the first time since Week 2 in 2023.
The 28-year-old is a huge fan favourite and has been out with a gruesome knee injury that required surgery and has left him sidelined for more than a year.
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Perhaps symbolically, almost as soon as Watson departed the field, Chubb was handed the ball and ran in for his first touchdown of the year.
Officials called that score back, but two plays later, Chubb was in to the delight of the fans he had promised to pay back for their support.
Chubb penned an emotional tribute to the fans for their support in an open letter to the city via earlier in the week.
The Browns were immediately on the back foot after the Bengals returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and the return of Chubb was hoped to have a positive effect on the play of Watson.
While Watson was booed, Browns fans wasted no time singing the praises of Chubb.
"The life that has come back into this team and the fans is an absolute breath of fresh air. Nick Chubb, you are an angel," one emotional fan post to X.
"He's back like he never left," another added. While a third posted: "Could not be happier for this man."
Unfortunately for the Browns, kicker Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point meaning they trailed 7-6 at halftime as they went in search of just a second victory of the season.
The Bengals extended their advantage in the second half, running in a second touchdown of the afternoon while the Browns offense struggled to get going.
It wasn't until the end of the game that Cleveland eventually had some life when Winston found David Njoku in the final two minutes and a successful two-point converstion.
The team tried an onside kick, but failed and the Bengals closed out the game to end the Browns run of six successive wins in games between the two in Cleveland.
The Browns are now 1-6 and have a decision - finally - to make at quarterback.
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