Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s rough start to the 2023 season continued on Saturday when the NFL fined him for three incidents that took place during Cleveland’s Week 2 loss to the Steelers.
Watson, 28, received fines totaling $35,513 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and two unnecessary roughness violations for facemask infractions during a 26–22 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football, the league announced.
In regard to the unsportsmanlike conduct fine, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Watson was penalized for a “violent gesture during a celebration” in the end zone. The clarification confirmed the veteran QB avoided a fine for making contact with a referee in the fourth quarter, a much-criticized move that did not incur a penalty.
Here’s the “violent gesture” that led to one of Deshaun Watson’s three fines from Monday night.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2023
Watson and David Njoku were each fined $13,659 for the gun-themed celebration after a #Browns TD. Watson was fined $35,513 total, including two fines for unnecessary roughness. pic.twitter.com/bYgU7D3kVY
The fines add another lowlight to a slow start for Watson in his second year with Cleveland (1–1).
Against Pittsburgh, Watson completed 22 of 40 pass attempts for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception while taking six sacks. The poor game followed a pedestrian outing in Week 1, with Watson logging 154 yards, a TD and an interception and taking three sacks in a win over the Bengals.
