Twenty hours after announcing “We’re not changing quarterbacks” following the Browns’ embarrassing 34-6 road loss to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 6, Coach Kevin Stefanski was on a Zoom call with reporters. Stefanski has not changed his mind. So the question is, Why? Why does he think Deshaun Watson gives the Browns the best chance of winning? Watson ranks 25th in the league in passing yards (852), Only eight of his 106 completions have been 20 yards or longer. His passer rating of 74.8 ranks 28th and his 4.84 yards per attempt is the lowest in the league. He has engineered an offense that has scored seven touchdowns in five games, one that has yet to score 20 points in a game or reach 300 yards in a game. Their third down conversion rate of 18.2 percent (12 of 66) is the lowest in the league. Kevin Stefanski explains why he is sticking with Deshaun Watson. He said he consults with Andrew Berry but adds the final decision is his own. #Browns #NFL #Eagles pic.twitter.com/URQpP4Hvdf — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) October 7, 2024 The Browns’ offense ranks 32nd of 32 teams. They are 27th in rushing and 30th in passing. The Browns (1-4) have lost to the Giants, Raiders and Commanders in consecutive weeks. Watson has been sacked 26 times and hit a total of 62 times. “I think I’ve been pretty clear all along,” Stefanski said. “This is not a one person type of deal. When we’re playing how we’re playing on offense, we need everybody to do their job and do their job better. I look at myself and how I can do that. “But I believe in Deshaun. I believe in what he brings to this offense and I believe he will play better.” The next question is, is the decision to stick with Watson Stefanski’s exclusively? “I understand the question,” Stefanski said. “I make decisions for our football team. I obviously consult with Andrew (general manager Andrew Berry). We talk about everything that goes on with our football team, but ultimately it’s my decision, yes.” Later in the Zoom call, Stefanski was asked whether Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is involved in the decision to stay with Watson rather than see if Jameis Winston could spark the lethargic offense. “I talk to Andrew, I talk to ownership about our football team,” Stefanski said. “But, again, I want to continue to reinforce we have to play better as a football team. I know we have to play better on offense. I need to do my part to make sure we’re playing better on offense. “But this is a football team. It’s the greatest team sport there is, and we have to play better as a football team.” Stefanski was pressed on the issue of whether Jimmy and Dee Haslam are influencing the decision about Watson. “I wouldn’t get into all the specifics,” Stefanski said. “We make great decisions together. I obviously talk to Andrew about everything we do. We talk to ownership about everything we do. That’s just how we operate.” Stefanski has called plays since he became head coach in 2020. Alex Van Pelt was the offensive coordinator from 2020-2023. Van Pelt was fired in January and replaced by Ken Dorsey. Stefanski waited until the start of training camp in late July to announce he would continue calling plays. He was asked on the Zoom call whether he would consider turning play calling over to Dorsey, who called plays for the Bills when he was offensive coordinator in Buffalo. Stefanski did not say no. “There are a bunch of different things we want to look at and see how we’re doing from an operational standpoint on offense,” Stefanski said. “I think Ken has been an outstanding partner in all this. “Those are the types of things I will always look at, but it just gets back to making sure we’re putting our guys in position is what we’ll look at ultimately.” Dorsey in 2022 was promoted by the Bills from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator. He was fired midway through the 2023 season. Next up for the Browns is a game with the Eagles on Oct. 13 in Philadelphia. The Browns are 9.5-point underdogs. Browns at Eagles When: 1 p.m., Oct. 13 Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Records: Browns 1-4, Eagles 2-2 TV: WJW Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850, WKKY-FM 104.7