Cleveland Browns fans got hit with a gut punch this weekend: Deshaun Watson is officially their starting quarterback for Week 1. Yeah, you read that right. Despite what went down on Saturday during their preseason loss, the coaching staff decided to roll with Watson over Shedeur Sanders. This means Watson’s heading to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars to kick off the season. But honestly, after this latest drama, who knows how long he’ll actually hold that starting spot?
Those Boos? Yeah, Watson Heard ‘Em, and He Wasn’t Happy
The scene on Saturday was something else. Watson didn’t even get on the field until the third quarter, and from the moment he stepped out there, it was a chorus of boos every single time he touched the ball. You’d think a player would maybe, just maybe, reflect on why a fan base might react like that. But no, not Watson. He went straight to the press conference after the game and totally called out the fans for booing him.
His exact words? “I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson claimed. “It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing.” Disrespectful? Seriously? That’s got to be one of the least self-aware responses an NFL player has ever given. Let’s not forget the man was accused of sexual assault by more than two dozen massage therapists before he even landed in Cleveland. That’s a “personal” detail fans definitely aren’t forgetting, and it’s got everything to do with their reaction.
A New Offense, The Same Old Questions
Beyond the boos and the baffling comments, Watson’s on-field performance on Saturday was rough, too. He finished the game going 5 of 12 for a measly 36 yards, and tossed an interception. You want your starter looking sharp in preseason, not struggling like that. And let’s be real, his tenure in Cleveland so far has been nothing short of a total bust. He’s only played in 19 games over four seasons and just hasn’t been good.
Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, apparently outplayed Watson in Cleveland’s two preseason games. So, what gives? Coach Monken, in his first year with the Browns, is implementing a new offense, and he flat out said Watson’s postgame comments wouldn’t impact his QB decision. It seems Monken was swayed by what he saw in training camp, giving the job to the guy he thinks has been running his new system better. For now, he believes that’s Watson. It’s a huge gamble for a team trying to find its footing.
So, Watson’s leading the charge into Week 1 against Jacksonville. The real question is, how many games will he actually start before the boos and the poor play finally force a change? This whole situation feels like a ticking time bomb for the Browns.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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