Patience is in short supply for quarterbacks in Cleveland. One rough performance can undo weeks of goodwill, and the conversation can shift from celebration to criticism almost overnight. That is especially true for a quarterback whose first few seasons with the Browns were defined by injuries and inconsistency. One Browns legend is urging fans to pump the brakes after Sunday’s loss.
Hanford Dixon weighed in on BIGPLAY Cleveland. His point is simple. Deshaun Watson has done enough this season to earn some patience, and one ugly afternoon in the rain should not erase the 3 straight game-winning drives that came before it.
“‘I’m not gonna throw Deshaun under the bus right now because he’s won us three games… I’m still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Dixon said.
“I’m not gonna throw Deshaun under the bus right now because he’s won us three games… I’m still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.” #DawgPound
– @HanfordDixon29 https://t.co/rsOBk3oCoD pic.twitter.com/pxuuARVxKq
— BIGPLAY Cleveland (@BIGPLAYcle) October 12, 2026
Even after the loss, his season numbers hold up. Watson has thrown for 1,010 yards with 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions through 5 games, completing 64.2% of his passes with a 94.1 passer rating.
The most alarming figure is the 19 sacks he has taken, with a large share of them coming against the New York Jets alone. That number says as much about Cleveland’s offensive line and stalled running game as it does about the quarterback.
Sunday’s drop in efficiency was still steep. Watson entered the game with a passer rating above 100, and his 15-of-33 outing in difficult conditions dragged his numbers down significantly.
Quarterback debates tend to resurface quickly in Cleveland, especially with Shedeur Sanders on the roster and Dillon Gabriel working his way back from injured reserve. Dixon’s message is a reminder that Watson was the driving force behind the 3-game winning streak that put the Browns in this position in the first place.
Dixon spent 9 seasons with the Browns and has watched plenty of quarterbacks come and go. His willingness to stand behind Watson carries weight with a fan base that respects his perspective.
The benefit of the doubt he is offering will only last so long, though. The Baltimore Ravens visit on Sunday, and with the offensive line under fire and key weapons dealing with injuries, Watson will need to show that Sunday was an outlier. A strong performance against Baltimore would go a long way toward quieting the critics before the noise grows louder.
NEXT: Reporter Is Confused By Browns Coach’s Stance On Big Hit
