Browns’ Deshaun Watson Gets Honest on Steelers’ ‘Very Limited’ Defense

Getty Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson shared on his podcast how his team takes advantage of the "very limited" Pittsburgh Steelers base defense.

It may have been an innocent answer, but Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson appeared to give the Pittsburgh Steelers valuable information on the latest episode of his podcast. Some fans may even call the information bulletin board material.

On the April 5 episode of QB Unplugged, Watson explained how the Browns have utilized an extra offensive lineman in the past to keep the Steelers in their base defense. Watson said the Browns used this strategy at the beginning of the fourth quarter in Week 2 to complete an 18-yard pass on third down.

Watson completed another pass for 23 yards against the Steelers’ base defense two plays later.

“The biggest thing is get the defense in what we want to get the defense in, and that’s a base defense, especially a team like Pittsburgh,” Watson revealed. “When they’re in base defense, they don’t play too many coverages. It’s very limited on what they’re doing. They kind of very schemed to how they play.

“So once we had this situation, alright cool, we got them exactly how we want it, and then you just run the play and react.”

The Browns didn’t score on the drive Watson reference, but they gained 54 yards before tight end David Njoku lost a fumble. Of those 54 yards, 41 of them came on passing plays against Pittsburgh’s base defense.

Steelers Need to Adjust Base Defense?

Fans and opposing players accused the Pittsburgh offense under Matt Canada of being too simply time and again. But that’s generally not the reputation of the team’s defense.

At least it wasn’t for a long time under former defensive coordinators Dick LaBeau and Keith Butler. Things have changed a little with new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

At various times during 2023, Austin had little choice but to be simplistic with his defensive sets. That’s because the Steelers were dealing with multiple injuries at inside linebacker and safety.

This was particularly a problem in December when Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander, Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee were all out of the lineup.

But those players were all in the lineup during the Week 2 matchup Watson reference. If the Steelers take anything away from Watson’s honesty on April 5, opposing offenses, especially Cleveland, want to throw the ball against the Pittsburgh base defense.

Pittsburgh’s Great Track Record Against Deshaun Watson

Watson can brag about a few successful plays he’s had against the Steelers base defense. But for the most part, the Steelers defense has had Watson’s number.

The Browns quarterback has completed just 62.5% of his passes with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in three starts against Pittsburgh. He’s also fumbled 3 times and taken 18 sacks.

Watson’s team lost all three games. One of those defeats came with the Houston Texans during the 2020 season.

Granted, Watson has averaged 7.6 yards per pass and 5.5 yards per rush against Pittsburgh. But his negative plays — an average of 6 sacks and 2 turnovers per game — have contributed to Steelers victories.

Only the Baltimore Ravens have averaged more interceptions and sacks against Watson in his career. But, Watson is 2-0 versus the Ravens.

The Steelers could probably use a little more intricacy in their base defense. But their overall game plan versus the Browns quarterback has worked very well.