As the NFL season kicks off, it’s team captain season in the league. In Cleveland, the Browns are sticking with familiarity as four of last year’s five captains are once again serving in that leadership role.
Coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement on Thursday that the team captains for the Browns are quarterback Deshaun Watson, guard Joel Bitonio, defensive end Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward, and long snapper Charley Hughlett.
Watson, who wasn’t a captain in 2022, made a strong impression in his debut season with the Browns with the captain “C” proudly displayed on his jersey. Bitonio, Garrett, and Hughlett are all continuing their captaincy duties from the previous season.
When asked about Watson’s qualities as a captain, Stefanski praised the quarterback’s natural leadership abilities. “I mean, Deshaun as the quarterback, obviously, he’s been doing this his whole life, leading, which is very natural for him and his teammates,” Stefanski said. “Again, another guy that — they recognize, hard work. I think that’s a big piece of it.”
While quarterbacks are often chosen as team captains, Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been anything but typical. Suspension and injury limited his playing time to just six games in 2022 and 2023 each, with him missing out on the playoff run where veteran Joe Flacco stepped in to help lead the team to a late-season surge.
Despite the challenges faced, Watson’s leadership qualities have earned him the respect of his teammates and coaching staff. As the Browns gear up for a new season, having experienced captains at the helm will be crucial as they aim for success on the field.
