Deshaun Watson had been away from Cleveland’s home field for almost two years. When he returned on Saturday, Browns fans ensured he knew how they felt.
Deshaun Watson Says Boos Were ‘Personal,’ Not About His Play
The jeers began when Watson entered the game in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills. They continued as he had a hard time moving the offense, completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and throwing an interception in Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason loss.
It was Watson’s first return to the home field since he tore his Achilles in 2024. He had said earlier in the week that he would not care about the reaction from the crowd.
After the game, however, Watson said, “I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think that’s a disrespectful thing.”
Deshaun Watson on getting booed by the Browns home crowd today:
“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing.” pic.twitter.com/3okcTuVD4x
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 22, 2026
That feeling had apparently been building for some time. Watson’s relationship with Cleveland fans has been complicated of sorts. The Browns traded three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire him in 2022, and then gave him a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. For four years, the investment has produced little of what Cleveland expected.
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Watson has made 19 starts for the Browns. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his time with the team, including a torn Achilles that ended his 2024 season, during which PFN gave him a grade of 59.9 on its QB Impact Metric, the worst in the league at his position. His play when healthy has also consistently resembled that of the quarterback Cleveland believed it was acquiring.
His latest outing did little to quiet those concerns. Watson came out on the field after Shedeur Sanders, who is competing with him for the starting job. The crowd’s reaction was as aforesaid. Then came the interception and several stalled drives and more boos.
Te’Cory Couch with the INT!
BUFvsCLE on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UQXxepOOG7— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026
The 36 passing yards were not lost on Browns coach Todd Monken, but Monken offered a simple answer to the tension about his quarterback.
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“Everybody will be fine,” he said, suggesting that winning and playing well might change the conversation.
Watson was asked whether he agreed.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles,” Watson replied. “That same fanbase, they cheered when I got hurt. What does that have to do with it? What does that have to do anything with my performance? When a person gets hurt, especially from their own city, and they cheer… I had different thoughts on how it was going to be, but it is what it is.”
Meanwhile, Sanders is being seen as an alternative upgrade for fans who want to see a different direction at the position. The second-year QB completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
After Saturday’s game, Sanders addressed the boos directed at Watson. “In general, I don’t appreciate that at all, regardless of competition. We’re all human beings,” Sanders said.
#Browns QB Shedeur Sanders on fans booing Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/60MqDXxIzk
— Chris Easterling (@ceasterlingABJ) August 22, 2026
Monken declined to name a starter after the game.
