Deshaun Watson booed by Browns fans during preseason game; tension grows over failed Cleveland tenure

Key facts

Watson went 5-12 passing for 36 yards with an interception in preseason game vs. Buffalo on Aug. 22, 2026
Watson signed five-year, $230 million contract with Browns in 2022; still owes $46 million for 2026
Watson has missed 72.1% of games since joining Browns in 2022 due to injuries and suspensions
Fans booed Watson and previously cheered when he suffered torn Achilles tendon in 2024 season
Watson expressed frustration with fan reception, saying it is ‘personal’ and ‘disrespectful’

The preseason performance and fan reaction

Deshaun Watson played in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 22, 2026, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. According to the sources, Watson completed 5 of 12 pass attempts for 36 yards and threw one interception. The outing was described as poor, with one pass looking like he had spiked the ball into the turf. During the game, Watson was booed by the home crowd, which visibly bothered him.

Watson’s response to the booing

After the game, Watson addressed the crowd’s reaction during a press conference. He characterized the booing as personal rather than performance-related, saying it was disrespectful. Watson also brought up an incident from the 2024 season when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon and Cleveland fans cheered the injury, calling out what he saw as a disconnect between performance criticism and personal hostility. He acknowledged struggling with the emotional toll, stating “It’s a mental battle every day” and noting he feels more support during road games than home games.

Watson’s contract and injury history

Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns when he joined the team in 2022. According to the reporting, he is owed $46 million in 2026 and will continue to count against the team’s salary cap for the next four seasons regardless of whether he remains on the roster. Since arriving in Cleveland, Watson has appeared in only about 28 percent of the team’s games due to injuries and suspensions related to the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. The suspension was tied to numerous accusations against him in his prior career.

The broader situation

NBC Sports reported that the relationship between Watson and the Browns organization has become unsustainable. The column noted that Watson no longer appears to want to play in Cleveland, and fans have made clear they do not support his presence. One analyst suggested the best path forward for both parties—the team and the player—is to part ways, despite the significant financial burden of doing so. The reporting also noted that Baker Mayfield, the player Watson replaced, has emerged as a Pro Bowl-caliber player and substantially outplayed Watson during his time in Cleveland.

Competition at quarterback

Watson is in a quarterback competition for the starting position with Shedeur Sanders. After the preseason game, Sanders defended his teammate, expressing that fans should show respect to all players regardless of competition, and emphasizing that all players are trying to serve the franchise the best way possible.

Sources

Featured photo: Erik Drost via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)