Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson labeled the hostile reception he received from Cleveland fans during a preseason matchup as both “disrespectful” and “personal,” speaking out after a turbulent return to the field at Huntington Bank Field according to reports from the Associated Press.
The Preseason Boos and On-Field Struggles
The friction point arrived during the second half of a 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, where a sparse Cleveland crowd repeatedly booed Watson. Stepping in from the bench behind Shedeur Sanders—who started the contest—Watson completed 5 of 12 pass attempts for 36 yards alongside an interception. Head coach Todd Monken has yet to name his starter for the team’s regular-season opener in Jacksonville on September 13.
For Watson, the crowd’s reaction bypassed athletic evaluation. “This has nothing to do with the performance,” Watson stated to the Associated Press. “It’s something personal. I think it’s something disrespectful. I’m going to keep what I feel about that with my family. I just gotta keep moving forward.”
A Fractured Relationship Rooted in Injury and Controversy
The animosity in Cleveland stems from a combination of off-field controversies, a massive contract, and severe injuries. The Browns acquired Watson in a trade from Houston four years ago, giving up three first-round draft picks for the three-time Pro Bowl passer and locking him into a fully guaranteed 230 million-dollar contract. His arrival was overshadowed by an 11-game suspension in 2022 after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions. He also paid a 5 million-dollar fine and completed a treatment program.
On-field momentum proved difficult to sustain. Following his return from suspension and a subsequent season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023, Watson faced further adversity when he tore his Achilles tendon on October 20, 2024, during a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The quarterback noted that some fans openly celebrated when he suffered the severe injury—a reaction that left a lasting scar.
“The last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles and that same crowd celebrated when I got hurt,” Watson said, according to the Associated Press. “So what does that have to do with performance? When a person gets injured, especially by their own city, and they celebrate.”
Locker Room Support Amid the Quarterback Competition
Despite competing directly with Watson for the starting role, teammate Shedeur Sanders voiced strong disapproval of the crowd’s treatment. Sanders expressed his displeasure with the fans directing hostility toward a fellow player during the preseason contest.
“I don’t appreciate that at all. Regardless of the competition,” Sanders said, as reported by the Associated Press. “We are all human beings. I think we all need to understand that. In this locker room too, we are all human. I don’t do things to human beings that I wouldn’t want done to me.”
Watson admitted uncertainty over whether he can regain the full backing of the local fanbase, pointing out that public interactions outside the stadium are generally peaceful. He noted that the hostility appears exclusively in environments where players cannot directly respond.
“It’s a mental battle every day,” Watson added. “I feel like I get more love at away games than I do at home. So if it’s my spot and he makes me the starter, maybe it’s 17 away games then.”
What Lies Ahead
The Cleveland Browns continue their final preparations ahead of the regular-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars scheduled for September 13. Head coach Todd Monken faces a pivotal decision regarding whether Sanders or Watson will take the opening snap, a choice that will set the tone for the franchise’s offense as the regular season gets underway.
Worth a look
