Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
‘No Way Would I Have Started Him’ — Ex NFL HC Doesn’t Agree With Browns’ Decision To Hand Deshaun Watson the QB1 Spot 1
It looks like the 2026 season is not going the way Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had planned. Watson had quite a disappointing season debut on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving fans wondering how things might have gone if the head coach had picked Shedeur Sanders.
Shedeur SandersShedeur Sanders
Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson at the Browns OTA camp in Berea on May 20, 2026.
Rex Ryan Rips Browns for Starting Deshaun Watson
Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan is frustrated with the Browns’ quarterback situation, just like the fans are.
During Sunday’s edition of ESPN’s “NFL Countdown,” Ryan shared his point of view just before Cleveland’s Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ryan believes the organization’s decision to pick Watson over Sanders for the QB1 spot was wrong following his controversial preseason comments about Browns fans. He said:
“No way would I have started him. No way. In fact, I would have cut him,” Ryan said. “I mean, that press conference right there, I mean, there’s no more important thing than that fan base. No way in [expletive]. Like, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”
During a preseason game, Watson was booed by Browns fans, and the quarterback called it a “disrespectful thing” after Cleveland’s Aug. 22 preseason loss to Buffalo. He argued that the reaction was personal and recalled that fans cheered when he tore his Achilles in 2024.
“I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games,” Watson said at the time. “So, if it is my spot… maybe it’s 17 away games then. I don’t know.”
Ryan said the identity of Cleveland’s backup quarterback would not have changed his opinion.
“I don’t care who was the backup. No way would I have kept this guy,” Ryan continued.
The ESPN 'Sunday NFL Countdown' crew sounds off on Deshaun Watson.
Rex Ryan: "No way would I have started him. No way. In fact, I would have cut him. I mean, that press conference… There's no more important thing than that fan base. No way in hell." pic.twitter.com/CycVRoJUwv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 13, 2026
The quarterback later acknowledged that his reaction was emotional and that he could have handled the exchange differently. Ryan criticized Cleveland’s decision just before the game, and Watson failed to prove him wrong, making Ryan’s criticism appear more justified.
The Browns suffered a 34–10 defeat to Jacksonville after falling behind 31–0 early in the third quarter. Watson threw an interception on Cleveland’s opening possession, immediately putting his team under pressure.
Watson now faces pressure to respond in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although one poor game does not define a season, his relationship with Cleveland fans and Sanders’ presence behind him make every performance important.
Todd Monken has continued to support Watson, but the head coach may eventually be forced to reconsider his decision if the offense remains ineffective. Ryan’s criticism will only gain more attention if Watson struggles again. The veteran quarterback must improve, protect the football and help Cleveland produce points if he wants to remain the starter and prove the former NFL coach wrong this season.
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