Deshaun Watson and Cleveland Browns fans displayed clear mutual discontent on Saturday. Watson is not only competing with Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback position, but he’s also dealing with dissatisfaction from the fan base.
Browns supporters are unhappy that Watson has delivered only 19 touchdown passes across 19 games during his $230 million contract term. They are displeased with his ongoing issues, including suspension, a season-ending shoulder injury, and multiple Achilles injuries affecting his playtime.
In Watson’s first game at Huntington Bank Field since 2024, he faced boos from fans. Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson expressed himself after a 24-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on January 1, 2023, in Landover, Md.
It sucks,
coach Todd Monken said regarding the fan reaction. Watson responded to the hostility from the fans by saying he feels disrespected.
Watson explained that his past injury at the same field drew cheers from the fan base. “What does being injured have to do with performance, especially when facing cheers from your own city?” Watson questioned.
Despite Watson’s efforts to gain support from fans through community involvement and dedication to returning to the field, the response remains negative. “It’s personal,” he stated, acknowledging the limited capacity to change opinions. This friction adds to Watson’s complications.
Fans have the luxury of expressing their views from the stands; however, the real decision regarding the starting quarterback is in the hands of Coach Monken. He emphasized that the key to winning fan approval is playing quality football.
In the recent game, Sanders outperformed Watson. Sanders completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards with a touchdown and an interception, playing primarily with backups. Meanwhile, Watson struggled against Buffalo’s second- and third-string defenders, completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and throwing one interception.
Monken aimed to choose a starter soon. However, with both contenders showing mixed results, the decision remains pending.
Watson commented half-jokingly on the challenges ahead, mentioning he might feel like playing 17 away games this season given the fans’ reactions. On the other hand, Sanders displayed confidence and a quick release of the ball, which impressed the coach.
Coach Monken noted Sanders’ positive attributes and mentioned he did not receive boos from the Browns fans. These details weigh heavily in the decision-making process for the starting quarterback role.