Deshaun Watson had not played at Cleveland’s home field for nearly two years. So, when the quarterback finally returned Saturday, Browns fans made their feelings clear.
Watson entered after Shedeur Sanders started the game and immediately heard a chorus of boos from the Cleveland faithful. The reaction quickly became a talking point after the game.
Watson labeled the boos “disrespectful” and “personal.” However, NFL analyst Jacob Infante defended the Browns faithful and understood why they chose to boo Watson during the preseason matchup.
Jacob Infante Defends the Browns’ Fans’ Hostile Reception of Deshaun Watson
After the game, Watson explained why he felt the response went beyond his play on the field.
“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” he said. “It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think that’s a disrespectful thing.”
However, Infante believes the quarterback cannot separate the reaction from his performance.
That is where the analyst sees another side of the story. “I mean, let’s be honest, it definitely isn’t just what he does on the football field,” Infante said on PFN’s “Football Debate Club.”
“But there’s also a football element to it too,” Infante added. “Watson hasn’t been very good since he’s been the Browns’ starting quarterback.”
Watson entered the game in the third quarter, and the boos followed soon after. He struggled to generate much offense, completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards while tossing an interception.
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Cleveland eventually suffered a 31-7 preseason loss. This appearance marked Watson’s first game at home since he tore his Achilles in 2024.
Since joining the Browns, Watson has made only 19 starts. Injuries have repeatedly limited his time, with a torn Achilles ending his 2024 season. That year, PFN gave him a 59.9 grade in its QB Impact Metric, the lowest mark among quarterbacks.
“In 2024, the last year he was healthy, he finished dead last in the NFL in PFN QB impact scoring; missed all of 2025,” Infante added.
The Browns gave three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans in 2022. They then handed him a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract.
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Yet, four years later, that massive investment has produced little of the return Cleveland expected.
“Needless to say, he hasn’t lived up to the massive price, not just from a draft pick perspective, but the contract that the Browns have paid Watson,” Infante continued. “It’s just a rough trade overall, and when you factor in that Watson just has way too much baggage off the field, I don’t blame Browns fans one bit.”
And now, Watson’s latest appearance has done little to change that view. Meanwhile, Sanders opened the game and played the entire first half. He completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards, adding one touchdown and one interception.
As a result, Sanders looked more effective in the latest comparison with Watson. For now, Cleveland’s quarterback battle remains unsettled.
Brown’s head coach, Todd Monken, declined to name a starter after the second preseason game. But Saturday offered a clear sign that Browns fans have strong feelings about the competition.
