Deshaun Watson is aware that the Cleveland Browns need to step up their offensive game after a shaky start of 1-2 this season, but he doesn’t think increasing his running plays will solve the issue.

“I’m not going in there to ask them for more designed runs,” he said to reporters. “If I don’t have to run, I won’t. I’m not looking to take unnecessary hits.”

It’s not surprising that Watson is focused on protecting himself. He had a challenging 2023 season, playing only eight games due to a shoulder injury. Staying healthy is crucial for him in 2024.

For this reason, Watson believes Stefanski will shy away from incorporating more designed runs into Cleveland’s game strategy.

“I won’t say it wouldn’t help the offense in terms of the running game,” said Watson. “But coming back from my injury, it’s probably not a priority for Kevin to put me in that position. If I get injured on a designed run, people will be upset with Kevin. It feels like a lose-lose, honestly.”

However, with the Browns sitting at 24th in the league for rushing yards per game (95.7) and Watson at 10th for quarterback rushing yards with 85, some have suggested utilizing his agility might be beneficial in strengthening Cleveland’s running game after the loss of Nick Chubb.

Still, Watson asserts that relying on him for designed runs does not match his strengths.

“I’m not a running quarterback in that sense,” Watson clarified. “I can maneuver when needed, but I’m not inclined to run. I’m not a running back. My role is to throw the football, make decisions, and perform as a quarterback, not as a runner.”

Watson did mention that he is not against improvising when necessary. He wants the flexibility to take off if he sees an opening in the defense.

“I’ll never hesitate to run if I need to,” he stated. “Of course, I’ll be cautious and not try to run over defenders; that’s not my strong suit. But if I can create a positive play, then I absolutely will.”

With an average of 6.1 yards per carry and a top run of 16 yards this season, Watson’s scrambling ability could still inject some energy into the offense.

Nevertheless, if Watson is not willing to run with regularity, Stefanski and Dorsey will need to prioritize getting Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman involved while Chubb remains out.

If this doesn’t work out, the attention will shift to Watson, who currently sits 27th out of 31 qualified quarterbacks in passer rating with a score of 71.4. He will need to elevate his passing performance significantly for Cleveland’s offense to thrive.