PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract is guaranteed. Apparently that is also his job.

Watson failed to lead Cleveland to an offensive touchdown, failed to lead Cleveland to its first 20-point game and failed to give Cleveland even a glimmer of hope that it can turn its season around.

None of the beleaguered QB’s football problems — let alone his high-profile ones legal issues – are enough to convince coach Kevin Stefanski that he needs to make a change.

Watson is Cleveland’s quarterback. End of debate.

After the 20-16 loss of the Browns Heading to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Stefanski left no wiggle room when asked if Watson remained QB1 heading into next week’s game against Cincinnati.

“Yes,” Stefanski said.

Watson finished 16 of 23 for 168 yards and had a chance for a tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter when he was pushed out of bounds at the 2-yard line during a scramble. He then threw incomplete on third down, forcing the Browns to settle for a field goal. They didn’t get the ball back.

“I thought there were some good moments,” Stefanski said. “You know, we have to protect. We have to keep it clean if we can. That’s a good front. I thought the boys fought like crazy. I’ve had some decent opportunities there, but I have to find a way to be more explosive.”

The QB situation is almost implausible to believe given Watson’s ugly stats: a 76.6 quarterback rating and near the bottom of the league in every meaningful category.

It’s easy to wonder: Is Stefanski just stubborn? Or is he under pressure from team owner Jimmy Haslam to make another costly Browns mistake because of the flashy contract?

The Browns appear to have no chance of repeating the playoff run they made last year behind then-backup Joe Flacco. Is former first-round bust and current backup Jameis Winston really the answer?

“Where are we? We are 1-5,” Stefanski said. “We own it and we will not hide from it. I own it. I’m 1-5. The entire locker room. We are all 1-5. But I know what kind of group we have. We have fighters and we will be back next week, ready to fight.”

The Browns’ problems as a franchise go beyond their record. Watson’s contract – he has two years left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $72.9 million per year – could be one of the worst in NFL history, tying them with a quarterback who has been an embarrassment off the field and a disaster on the field.

The QB was suspended for the first 11 games of 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than 20 women accused him of sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions.

Watson was fined $5 million and had to undergo mandatory counseling before being reinstated by the league. This week, he settled the latest civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman alleging sexual assault and battery.

He was 11 of 12 for 122 yards in the second half Sunday, but has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game this season.

“It’s in our hands, and we’re not going to take it,” Watson said. “Yes, the opportunities are there.”

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni tried to tip Watson, saying the QB could still be as good as he was in his prime.

“I’ve seen Deshaun Watson play Superman before,” Sirianni said.

I think the Eagles were his kryptonite.

The Browns are the first team since Jacksonville in 2014 to score fewer than 20 points in each of their first six games. Those Jaguars finished 3-13.

Cleveland got its only touchdown a blocked field goal. Watson was sacked three times and threw for just 49 yards in the first half.

“I don’t know what to do, but we have to do something,” Watson said. “Hang in there so we don’t cost ourselves any more games, because we really need to turn this around.”

The only thing that could help?

Benching Watson.

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AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL