Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns fan base traded open hostility Saturday at Huntington Bank Field, where the quarterback heard boos throughout his first home appearance since 2024. Watson, competing with Shedeur Sanders for the starting job, did not hide his resentment toward the crowd, calling their reaction «a disrespectful thing» and recalling that the same fans cheered when he tore his Achilles on that field.
«Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. So what does that have to do with anything about performance when a person gets hurt, especially for your own city?» Watson said. He added that he has tried to earn the fans' support through charity work in town and by working to return from injuries, but «I guess it hasn't» worked.
The tension comes as coach Todd Monken weighs Watson against Sanders for the starting role. Monken acknowledged the fan reaction, saying «it sucks,» but insisted the decision will rest on play, not crowd sentiment. «They don't want to get booed, it's about playing good football,» Monken said. «Let's play good quarterback. Let's play good on offense, play good as a team, and then you don't have to worry about all that.»
Saturday's performance did little to help Watson's case. Sanders, who started and played the entire first half against Buffalo's backups, completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Watson took over in the third quarter with second- and third-string teammates and struggled, completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and throwing an interception. He may have collected more boos than passing yards.
Monken said Sanders offered «a lot there to like,» noting the quarterback «plays with a certain amount of confidence» and has improved at getting rid of the ball. The coach had hoped to name a starter by the start of next week, but that timetable is now uncertain after the uneven outing.
Watson's relationship with Cleveland has been strained since he signed a $230 million contract. In 19 games with the Browns, he has thrown only 19 touchdown passes. His tenure has been marked by a suspension, a season-ending shoulder injury, a season-ending Achilles injury, and another Achilles injury that sidelined him for all of last season. Watson has collected $184 million for those four seasons, a figure that fuels fan frustration.
Watson half-jokingly said that if he wins the job, he will feel like he is playing 17 away games this season given the home crowd's reaction. He said he will keep his feelings about the fans «with me and my family internally,» but made clear the resentment is mutual.
Monken, however, dismissed the personal feud as a distraction from the team's goals. «When we play good football, everybody will be fine,» he said. For now, the quarterback competition remains open, with Sanders gaining ground after a sharper preseason showing and Watson facing both an uncertain roster spot and a hostile home crowd.