Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson just dropped a bombshell, telling reporters “I don’t care” when asked about the kind of reaction he expects from Cleveland Browns fans during Saturday’s preseason home opener against the Buffalo Bills. That’s a bold statement for a guy making a comeback after missing a ton of football and still trying to lock down the starting job.
From Pro Bowl King to $230 Million Question Mark
Watson’s attitude might sound wild, but honestly, you can almost see where it’s coming from. This Saturday marks his first game back at Huntington Bank Field since way back on October 20, 2024, when he absolutely ripped his Achilles. That injury sidelined him for the entire rest of the 2024 season *and* the entire 2025 campaign. Talk about a brutal layoff! Here’s the kicker though: a portion of that Browns crowd actually *cheered* when he went down nearly two years ago. Why? His struggles have been real since the Browns acquired him from the Texans in 2022. He’s got a 9-10 record in 19 starts, completing just 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. That’s a far cry from his Houston days where he was a three-time Pro Bowler from 2018-2020, averaging nearly 4,300 passing yards and over 28 passing touchdowns each season. Now? He’s definitely not a sure thing to be the starter, even though he’s in the final year of that fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract. That’s some serious pressure.
Battle for the QB1 Spot Heats Up
Despite the huge contract and the veteran experience, Watson is locked in a true competition for the starting gig with Shedeur Sanders. Last week in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Watson got the nod first, throwing for 126 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. When Sanders came in to relieve him, he put up 79 yards, also with no touchdowns but he did throw one pick. This Saturday, it’s Sanders who gets the starting shot before likely handing the reins to Watson in the third quarter. It’s a flip-flop that tells you everything you need to know about where this battle stands. Watson says his main focus is “just trying to improve” and proving he’s capable. He’s gotta control his opportunities and reps and “be successful with that,” because the front office and Coach Monken are gonna make that call.
This isn’t just about getting reps anymore; it’s about proving he’s the guy. Watson undoubtedly has the edge in NFL accomplishments and experience, but with Sanders pushing hard, strong showings in these final two preseason games are absolutely paramount. Saturday against the Bills, we’ll see if he can back up that “I don’t care” attitude with some real production.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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