Key facts
- Browns lost 31-7 to Bills in preseason game Saturday; Watson went 5 of 12 for 36 yards with 1 interception
- Watson addressed booing from home fans in postgame press conference, calling it disrespectful and personal
- Watson referenced October 2024 Achilles injury when some Browns fans cheered; said he tore same tendon and is working back from two Achilles injuries
- Watson is competing with Shedeur Sanders for starting QB role; Browns coach Todd Monken has not named a starter for season opener in Jacksonville on September 13
- Watson holds 9-10 record as Browns starter with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 61.2% completion percentage in four seasons; Browns gave Houston three first-round picks and signed him to five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract
The game and the postgame response
Deshaun Watson took the field for the Cleveland Browns in Saturday’s preseason home game against the Buffalo Bills and completed 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and one interception in a 31-7 loss. During the second half, Watson was booed repeatedly by home fans. After the game, he addressed the booing in his postgame press conference, describing it as disrespectful and personal rather than performance-based.
Watson’s perspective on the fans
Watson stated that the booing had nothing to do with his play on the field and pointed to past experiences with Browns fans as context. He recalled that during his previous home game appearance, he tore his Achilles tendon in October 2024, and some fans cheered when he was injured. He expressed frustration that fans would cheer a player getting hurt at home, noting that he has worked to rebuild his relationship with the fanbase after missing two years due to two Achilles injuries.
Watson said he has tried to earn back the fans’ support through his presence in the community, including charity work and time at the team facility. He acknowledged that efforts to change the dynamic have not succeeded so far, and that he faces mostly negative interactions with fans on social media and during home games, while noting he receives better treatment from opposing team’s fans.
Watson’s position and recent record with Cleveland
Saturday’s game was part of the team’s quarterback competition. Watson came off the bench in place of Shedeur Sanders, who is also vying for the starting job. Browns coach Todd Monken has not yet announced which quarterback will start the season opener against Jacksonville on September 13.
Watson has been the starter for the Browns since 2022 but has compiled a 9-10 record with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 61.2% completion percentage across four seasons. Injuries and inconsistent play have been persistent issues throughout his tenure. He has not completed a full season with the team due to injury and suspension combined, and the Browns have won only one playoff game since acquiring him in 2022.
Context of the trade and contract
The Browns traded three consecutive first-round draft picks to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson and signed him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. Watson had been a three-time Pro Bowler with Houston before the trade. The arrangement has been widely regarded as unsuccessful, given his injury history, inconsistent performance, and the significant capital invested by the team.
Sources
Featured photo: Tennessee Titans via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)