CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson fired back at his detractors, calling the booing he heard from some Cleveland fans during Saturday's home preseason loss against Buffalo “disrespectful” and "personal."
Watson, who has a complicated relationship with Cleveland fans because of injuries, off-field issues — including an NFL suspension in 2022 — and a massive, $230 million contract, was booed repeatedly during the second half of a 31-7
loss to the Bills.
Watson was just 5 of 12 passing for 36 yards and threw an interception. He came off the bench because the Browns started Shedeur Sanders, who is competing with Watson for the starting job. Coach Todd Monken has yet to decide which QB will start the season opener in Jacksonville on Sept. 13.
Watson didn't appreciate the reaction from the sparse crowd at Huntington Bank Field. It was his first home game since tearing his Achilles tendon on Oct. 20, 2024, when fans cheered him sustaining a potential career-ending injury.
“It has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said of the boos. “It’s a little bit personal. I think that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on.”
Watson has started just 19 games since the Browns acquired him in a blockbuster trade from Houston four years ago. They traded three first-round draft picks for the former Pro Bowler. He had season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023 and is coming back this season after twice rupturing his Achilles tendon.
When Watson first injured his Achilles tendon in 2024 in a home game against Cincinnati, some fans cheered while he laid on the field. He hasn't forgotten.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles and that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson said. “So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city and they cheer.”
Watson said he's not sure if he can win back any fans. He's frustrated that the only time he feels animosity from Cleveland fans is when he's on the field.
“When I’m in public, no one’s mentioned anything," he said. "Because this is social media, players can’t respond back. And then in the stadium, players can’t respond back. So I get it. I understand it. So it is what it is.
“It’s a mental battle every day. I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games. So if it is my spot and he (Monken) does make me the (starter), maybe it’s 17 away games then.”
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