Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson opened the 2026 NFL season in nightmarish fashion after telling Browns fans he felt "disrespected" by boos during preseason
Deshaun Watson is in jeopardy of losing his 2026 starting job
Deshaun Watson is in jeopardy of losing his 2026 starting job(Image: Getty Images)
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New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken deliberated all offseason over which quarterback to name as his starter: failed trade acquisition Deshaun Watson or second-year fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders.
Monken opted for Watson, even after the 30-year-old faced a swarm of boos from Browns fans during a preseason game. Watson then hit out at the famous "Dawg Pound" in the media, citing how they booed him when he tore his Achilles in 2024.
Watson might not last to Cleveland's Week 3 opener. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 1 road match-up, the Browns quarterback was intercepted on his third pass of the young season.
Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, sitting underneath, drifted into the passing lane of a Watson pass intended for Jerry Jeudy with over 12 minutes left in the first quarter.
Later in the half, Watson grossly underthrew a deep ball just plays after taking a delay of game penalty, causing Monken to shake his head.
The Cleveland quarterback finished the first half 8/13 for 75 yards as his team trailed 24-0. Following an offseason trade of Myles Garrett, the Browns are expected to be in contention for the first pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Browns coach Todd Monken chose Deshaun Watson (R) over Shedeur Sanders for the 2026 starting job
Browns coach Todd Monken chose Deshaun Watson (R) over Shedeur Sanders for the 2026 starting job(Image: Getty Images)
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Cleveland traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans in 2022 for Watson, also handing the quarterback an extension worth $230 million guaranteed.
Watson served a lengthy suspension in 2022 after facing allegations of off-field misconduct. He returned as the full-time starter in 2023, though the Browns dramatically improved with backup Joe Flacco late in the season following a Watson injury.
The $230M man was poor again in 2024 before tearing his Achilles, facing a slew of boos from Browns fans as he exited the field.
In his return to football this preseason, Watson went just 5 of 12 in his preseason debut and faced more boo birds from the Cleveland faithful.
“It has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said of the boos. “It’s a little bit personal. I think that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on.”
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles, and that same fanbase cheered when I got hurt,” he continued. “So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city and they cheer.”
Watson later apologized for his comments.
ESPN analyst and former NFL coach Rex Ryan said ahead of Week 1 that he would have cut his quarterback for calling out fans at a press conference.