The Cleveland Browns don't make their home debut until Week 3 in 2026, but quarterback Deshaun Watson has no concerns about fans' reception to his first home start since 2024.
When Watson spoke to reporters
on Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Browns' starter laughed off a question about whether he needs to put on a good performance in Week 2 to ensure a positive reception from the Cleveland crowd in Week 3. Watson said that idea was a narrative "for the media" and said the media has been setting outlandish expectations for his level of performance nine years after he was drafted.
"I think the media has this expectation that I'm supposed to throw 400 yards and five touchdowns every week," Watson said. "Until that happens, I guess it's gonna be the same situation. My job is to make sure that I'm playing well so that we can get a win and keep moving forward."
The Browns lost their Week 1 game to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-10. Watson completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts (72.7% completion rate) for 205 yards, one touchdown and an interception, which he threw on his third pass of the game. BetMGM Sportsbook has the Browns listed as 8.5-point underdogs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
Watson is now in his fifth season with Cleveland – the last year of a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal he signed in 2022. Entering Week 2 of this year, he has made 20 starts across the four-plus years of his Browns tenure, which has been defined by poor performance and missed games due to league suspension and various injuries. Cleveland is 9-11 in games Watson has started.
The Browns currently have three other quarterbacks on their roster: second-year passers Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel (who is on injured reserve with a back injury), as well as rookie sixth-rounder Taylen Green.
Browns head coach Todd Monken has already announced Watson will start Week 2's clash with the Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 20. On Monday, Sept. 14, Monken was asked if players are supportive of Watson remaining the starter. He told reporters that Browns players "don't have a choice" in the matter: "This isn't a debate."
The former first-round pick by the Houston Texans has thrown for 400 yards twice in his career, both while he was with the Texans. He has thrown for five touchdowns in three games in his career, all with the Texans. Watson has one career game with both 400 passing yards and five touchdowns: a Week 5 win over the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.
Watson's highest yardage total in a game with the Browns is 289, which he accomplished in Week 3 of the 2023 season. The most touchdowns he has thrown in a game with Cleveland is three, which he did in Week 17 of the 2022 season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deshaun Watson says media is setting performance expectations too high
