NFL analyst blasts "arrogant" Deshaun Watson after Browns QB refuses to run

Even after the Browns gave Deshaun Watson a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, there are certain things he's not willing to do for the team. This season, the Browns' offense is struggling, ranking in the bottom three overall offenses, rush offenses, pass offenses and points per game.

When Watson was asked about running more to make more plays happen with his legs, he quickly turned down that idea.

"I'm not going in there to ask them for more designed runs," he told reporters. "If I don't have to run, I'm not going to run. I'm not trying to take any hits."

In response to Watson refusing to run more, ESPN's Elle Duncan ripped the 'arrogant' quarterback for his comments earlier this week.

"The unmitigated call for him to sit up there as incredulous as he was -- 'I'm a throwing quarterback' -- when you're not doing that particularly well... based on how bad you are playing," Duncan said.

"Based on how unlikable you are right now with everything surrounding you, to sit there with that sort of arrogant 'how dare you to expect me to be a different quarterback than what I am,' you could have just not said the quiet part out loud."

Duncan does have a point. Watson isn't throwing the ball well at all. In three games this season, Watson has completed just 57.8 percent of passes for 551 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has a quarterback rating of 71.4.

On the ground, Watson is averaging 6.1 yards per carry on 14 attempts and has scored a rushing touchdown.

Deshaun Watson hasn't been good for Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson during New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns - Source: Getty

After the 2020 season, Deshaun Watson established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He led the league in passing yards with 4,823 and 33 touchdowns. After he decided to sit out for the 2021 season with the Texans, things went downhill.

Following a string of sexual assault allegations, Watson was somehow granted a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract from the Cleveland Browns.

Watson was suspended for much of the 2022 season but returned and played six games, ending the season with a 3-3 record and a 79.1 passer rating. The following season in 2023, he went 5-1 as a starter, throwing for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Nothing has been positive in Cleveland since Watson arrived besides Joe Flacco leading them to the playoffs last season when Watson got hurt.