Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced his team’s captains Thursday, including quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson is one of five captains voted on by his teammates.
“These players voted for these guys and Deshaun in particular, but Deshaun, This is a completely natural leadership for himStefanski said of 92.3 The Fan’s Daryl Ruiter. “And I think he’s comfortable leading from the front. I think he has no problem leading and giving credit to his teammates, and that’s just something he’s always done throughout his life. And it’s impressive to see how he’s integrated into this football team.
“From the moment he got here until now, I’ve just seen how he got to know everyone on his team, how he pushes them, how he motivates them. I think you see a lot of examples of quality leadership at Deshaun in particular.”
Watson is facing his first season opener since 2020, when he was with the Texans. Last year, Watson served an 11-game ban for breaching the league’s rules of conduct. Watson has also settled nearly two dozen civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.
In six games last season, Watson completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 1,102 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He appeared in two preseason games in August and was 8 of 13 for 104 yards with a touchdown. He also rushed for 21 yards.
Cleveland’s remaining four captains are defensive end Myles Garrett, guard Joel Bitonio, linebacker Anthony Walker and long snapper Charley Hughlett.