Cleveland Browns fans let their frustration rip after quarterback Deshaun Watson tossed an interception during Saturday afternoon’s ugly 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. This isn’t just about a bad play in a preseason game, folks, the boos started echoing through Huntington Bank Field because the drama around their $230 million man has been boiling even before Week 1 of the 2026 campaign even kicked off.
That $230 Million Contract Looks Rougher Than Ever
Watson’s arrival in Cleveland after signing a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract was already a huge gamble. And honestly? His play has been dull, plain and simple. We’re talking three straight seasons with the Houston Texans where he was slinging it for 3,800-plus yards and 26-plus passing touchdowns consistently. Since joining the Browns from 2022 through 2024, he has yet to hit either of those marks in a single season. The league already flagged that contract as risky, and after his 2022 suspension due to multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations, it’s no wonder Cleveland fans weren’t exactly doing backflips over their starting QB. They want results, not a rerun of past struggles.
Preseason Numbers Are Not Building Confidence
The booing incident itself was a textbook example of the frustration. Watson overthrew wide receiver Gage Larvadain in the middle of the field. The ball hit Larvadain’s outstretched hands, but it was just too high, allowing Buffalo DB Te’Cory Couch to snag the deflection without missing a beat. Up until that point, Watson had completed only two of six passes for a measly 24 total yards. Cleveland faithful had every right to be fed up with that subpar play. Both Watson and Shedeur Sanders haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard either, with neither quarterback tallying over 200 yards through the air in the preseason. Even worse? The duo has more interceptions than passing touchdowns combined. Just look at the splits through two preseason weeks: Watson is at 59.2% completion (16/27) with 162 passing yards, zero passing touchdowns, and one interception. Sanders isn’t much better with 68.1% completion (15/22), 153 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. John Fanta called it, saying Watson’s play is “extremely far from NFL caliber.” You can’t ignore reality.
So, here we are, before the season even starts, and the Browns have a major quarterback problem brewing. Watson had a rough outing against the Bills, going 5-for-12 for 36 passing yards and that pick. He believes the booing is “personal,” but with that contract and those numbers, what else did he expect? It’s a tough spot to be in heading into Week 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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