Conspiracy theories are running wild in Cleveland following quarterback Deshaun Watson’s horrific performance in the Browns’ season opener against the Cowboys.
The stunning 33-17 blowout loss against the Cowboys at home was certainly not how Cleveland wanted to start the season, and all fingers were firmly pointed at their controversial quarterback.
Interestingly, some fans are convinced that Watson created a burner account to defend himself on social media.
At the center of the controversy is an X account belonging to one “Leroy Bickerstaff.”
The account, created just days ago, has been fervently supporting Watson despite his terrible start to the season.
The timing is what raised eyebrows, with the account’s first tweet coinciding with the Browns’ lopsided defeat in this past Sunday’s season opener.
“If 4 [Watson’s jersey number] had a tackle like Trent Williams he’d be able to show his greatness… 4 can’t succeed when he’s got no chance back there,” one Bickerstaff post read.
Fans were quick to notice Bickerstaff’s responses to criticism of Watson across social media.
When a Cleveland fan page expressed frustration with other fans for giving up on the Browns after one game, Bickerstaff chimed in: “Someone gets it… one game ain’t nothing, just wait till the o-line and play calls stop holding 4 back from his greatness.”
The alleged burner account even went after ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after the polarizing sports commentator questioned Watson’s abilities on “First Take.”
“@stephenasmith never played a sport in his life but always wanna talk like he one of them ones… always saying whatever will get clicks instead of speaking the facts,” Bickerstaff posted.
Watson’s opening game performance was rough to say the least.
He threw for just 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, and was sacked six times. This rocky start follows a season in which Watson only played six games due to a shoulder injury that led to surgery in November.
On top of his on-field struggles, Watson is once again facing off-field controversy.
A new lawsuit was filed Monday, accusing him of sexual assault in an alleged incident from October 2020. This comes after Watson was previously suspended for 11 games in 2022, fined $5 million, and faced 24 civil lawsuits, most of which were settled last year.
Amid all this, another conspiracy has emerged, with sports commentator Dan Le Batard suggesting that the leak of this latest lawsuit might have come from inside the Browns organization.
On his show, Le Batard speculated, “The number of people who will defend this behavior if they think their quarterback is good, and then the strategic leaking of stuff that makes you wonder, are they trying to get out from under the contract… it’s pretty gross.”
Watson’s contract, which includes $230 million fully guaranteed over five years, poses a major challenge for the Browns, as he carries a cap hit of $72.9 million per season for the next two years.
The Browns will attempt to bounce back this Sunday when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Do you think “Leroy Bickerstaff” is indeed Deshaun Watson?
More importantly, do you view both Cleveland’s trade for Watson and the historic extension they gave him as the worst in NFL history?
What do you think the future holds for him???