Browns' Kevin Stefanski explains Deshaun Watson being a team captain

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke with reporters Thursday about quarterback Deshaun Watson being a team captain for the 2023 season. 

"These players voted for those guys and Deshaun in particular, but Deshaun, that's very, very natural for him to lead," Stefanski explained, according to Daryl Ruiter of Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan. "And I think he's comfortable leading from out in front. I think he's comfortable from leading and letting his teammates get credit and that's just something that he's always done his whole life. And just the way he's integrated himself into this football team is impressive to watch." 

Cleveland acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in March 2022 and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M deal. The three-time Pro Bowl selection ultimately missed the first 11 games of last season while serving a suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, and he then went 3-3 across his first six starts with the Browns. 

Per Anthony Poisal of the club's website, the Browns did not name either Watson or 2022 Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett a captain last September. Watson no longer is facing any NFL punishments related to previous allegations made against him, and he'll now rock the "C" patch on his jersey for the regular-season opener versus the Cincinnati Bengals held at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 10. 

"From the course of the moment he got here 'till now, just seeing how he's gotten to know everybody on his team, how he pushes them, how he motivates them, I think you're seeing a lot of examples of high-quality leadership from Deshaun in particular," Stefanski continued. 

In his six games last season, Watson completed 99-of-170 pass attempts (58.2%) for 1,102 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Those six performances caused some to think Watson is no longer a top-10 player at the sport's most important position, but he'll look to silence such chatter on the second Sunday afternoon of September.