Cleveland Browns
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) prepares to run a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Saturday was a rough day for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, both on the field and away from it. The veteran quarterback was booed by the home crowd after struggling in the preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, and his postgame comments later drew plenty of criticism after he called the reception from fans “disrespectful.”
The combination of the fan reaction and Watson’s comments appeared to highlight a growing divide between the quarterback and the city and team, leading some to argue that the Browns should part ways with Watson immediately. However, the Browns made it clear that’s not going to happen.
Not only that, it sounds like Watson is still very much in the running to be the team’s starting quarterback.
Watson Struggles, Blasts Fans
Watson was met with boos from the home crowd during Saturday’s game after completing just 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and throwing an interception across four second-half drives in Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason defeat against the Buffalo Bills.
Following the game, Watson was asked about the reaction from the fans and offered a candid response. He described the booing as “disrespectful” and suggested that the fans’ reaction had nothing to do with his performance.
“The whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said after the game via ESPN. “It’s a little bit [more] personal than that. So I think it’s a disrespectful thing. So yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. And yeah, just move on.
LeBron Face Of NBA? Kawhi vs. NBA, Weird Lakers Sale & More w/ Twitch Streamer Legend of Winning
Is LeBron James still the face of the NBA? Will Kawhi Leonard or the Clippers be punished? And what's going on with the Lakers sale as everyone in the media agrees it's fishy?Twitch streamer and YouTuber Legend of Winning joins to give his thoughts. Plus, LOW shares which mainstream NBA media voices break through for his audience, why the Gil's Arena mess was such a big story, and more.It's The Play-By-Play LIVE!0:00 Intro1:08 LeBron still face of the NBA?7:04 Is LeBron to Philly a good story?11:57 What happens to Kawhi22:09 LOW's take on Lakers sale27:15 Why LOW is one of the only big NBA Twitch streamers34:40 Which mainstream NBA media figures break through?40:00 Reaction to Gil's Arena relaunchAwful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awful\_announcing/Awful Announcing on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@awful\_announcing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Were Ryan Clark's Politics a Problem? Plus: Round 1 Of the Sports Media Influence Olympics
Ryan Clark is out at ESPN and claims he had to be "less Black" to avoid the ire of the company over the past year before he was fired.So what is the state of play at the Worldwide Leader around politics right now?Plus, we debut our Sports Media Influence Olympics, a bracket to decide who has the most influence in the industry. First up: Pat McAfee vs. Pablo Torre.It's The Play-By-Play LIVE!Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awful\_announcing/Awful Announcing on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@awful\_announcing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Predicting NFL Analyst Moves at ESPN/Fox/Prime, Plus Influence Olympics: Sharpe vs. Big Cat
Three big NFL game analysts are up for new deals after 2026, so where will Troy Aikman, Kirk Herbstreit and Greg Olsen end up after this season?Plus, Round 7 of our Sports Media Influence Olympics, featuring Shannon Sharpe and Dan "Big Cat" Katz.It's The Play-By-Play LIVE!Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awful\_announcing/Awful Announcing on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@awful\_announcing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fox News Host Admits Lies About WNBA, Where Could Tony Romo Go, Plus Influence Olympics Part 5
Fox News host Jesse Watters admitted he doesn't actually care about the WNBA or believe a "man" would ever actually play in the league after days of chatter about Sophie Cunningham.We also give early predictions on where Tony Romo could end up if he loses his job as the top game analyst at CBS Sports.Plus, Round 5 of our Sports Media Influence Olympics, looking at Bill Simmons vs. Dan Patrick in the Radio & Television region.It's The Play-By-Play LIVE!Awful Announcing on X: https://twitter.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awfulannouncingAwful Announcing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awful\_announcing/Awful Announcing on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@awful\_announcing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fanbase, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson later said. “So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city, and they cheer?”
Browns Announce Decision
The situation surrounding Watson became concerning enough that some NFL reporters even suggested that his tenure with the Browns could be coming to an end. However, the Browns have not only opted to keep him on the roster, but he apparently remains a legitimate candidate to be the team’s starting quarterback.
On Sunday, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed that Watson will remain with the team and said the quarterback’s postgame remarks would not play a role in the team’s decision at the position. Monken said he hopes to announce the starter on Monday.
“He emptied his heart a little bit, and I don’t think that says who he is,” Monken said Sunday via ESPN. “I see the competitor in him. I see the every-day work he puts in, and he wants to be back. He wants to get back to where he was as best he can, and that’s hard. And again, I think the moment just got him after the game, and it can get all of us.”
Monken also made it clear that Watson remains in contention for the starting job and that the decision will ultimately come down to how the two quarterbacks have performed on the field.
“Even with yesterday, we have to take in the full body of work,” Monken said. “That’s one opportunity that they had on the field, both of them, just like the week before, an opportunity. Just like the practices against the Bills were an opportunity to showcase their ability and others’ ability and where they’re at this point, where we’re at as an offense.
“I look at it: What has been the full body of work? And then ultimately who gives us the best chance to win Week 1?”
“I’m not going to let one half of football, one frustrating moment, dictate what our decision is going to be that we think is in the best interest of the Browns moving forward and especially Week 1,” the coach added.
Monken also insisted that he isn’t concerned about how the home crowd might respond or what it could mean for the team if Watson ultimately gets the starting nod.
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders
Ketel Marte
Ketel Marte
Melania and Donald Trump
Melania and Donald Trump