Former Cleveland Browns running back Jordan Wilkins was scathing about former quarterback Deshaun Watson, saying he lacks the leadership qualities typically expected of a franchise point guard.
Watson, who is also currently facing a lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted a woman while with the Houston Texans, sounded confident in his response when asked about his leadership on Wednesday.
“I mean, the trust was always there,” Watson told reporters, “so I think they trust me, and if there's anything, you can ask any of them and they'll give you an honest answer.”
“So, I can't speak for anybody, but what the guys have shown me, what they've said to me, what they've shook my hand, what they've come in the locker room and on the field and hugged me and said it to my face, that's what they're saying they believe in me.”
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Cleveland Browns running back Jordan Wilkins (20) fakes a handoff to quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first half of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley/USA Today Sports)
“If you're around me every day, you'll see my aura, my energy, my personality. You'll get a sense of who I really am.”
Wilkins, who played briefly for the Browns in 2023, posted a screenshot of Watson talking about his “aura” to X, with his own caption.
Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson despite recent sexual assault allegations; QB's lawyer denies claims
“Yeah, bro. Check out the next slide and let everyone know,” Wilkins wrote. “And this was my last preseason game where I made the roster.”
In the next clip, Wilkins shows video of Watson handing him the ball during a preseason game and the running back fumbles, with Wilkins insinuating that it was Watson's fault for the fumble in a bad passing exchange.
Wilkins fumbled again after a dropped handoff exchange, but claims Watson went to the Browns coaching staff and said the running back's ignorance of the play led to the fumble.
“Then I went to the sideline and told my coaches I didn't get the play,” he wrote on his Instagram Story, along with a thinking emoji, “and then it happened again on the next drive.”
Cleveland Browns running back Jordan Wilkins (20) fumbles a handoff from wide receiver Rushe Rice (4) during the first half of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley/USA Today Sports)
Watson's leadership has been called into question after a new lawsuit was filed against him in Houston by Jane Doe, represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed most of the previous sexual misconduct lawsuits against him.
On Monday, Jane Doe filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages, alleging she was sexually assaulted on a planned date in October 2020.
Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that his client denies the allegations.
“DeShawn strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed on Monday,” the statement said. “We have asked him not to comment further while the matter proceeds through the courts, but we are confident that he will ultimately be exonerated.”
“We are prepared to defend this matter in court at the appropriate time but will not defend it in the media. We ask for everyone's patience as the legal process unfolds.”
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson walks onto the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (Scott Galvin/USA Today Sports)
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“In the meantime, Deshaun will be focusing his energy and focus on football.”
The Browns are coming off a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys in which Watson was held to just 169 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and they plan to have Watson start in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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