Browns' Watson: Fan Boos 'Personal,' Not Performance-Based

CLEVELAND -- In his first home game since tearing his right Achilles tendon in October 2024, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faced significant boos from fans, which he described as "disrespectful." During the game, Watson completed 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and had one interception in the Browns' 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Despite the Huntington Bank Field only being half full, the boos were pronounced when Watson took the field at the beginning of the second half and as he struggled throughout the game. Watson stated, "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. So yeah, I mean, I'm going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. And yeah, just move on."

Watson has been a controversial figure in Cleveland since the Browns traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans in March 2022 and awarded him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract amidst allegations from more than two dozen women accusing him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. Prior to his trade to Cleveland, two Texas grand juries declined to pursue criminal charges against him.

While Watson served an 11-game suspension to commence his Browns career, he also faced a $5 million fine and completed a treatment program as part of a settlement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association in August 2022. Since joining the Browns, his performance has not returned to the Pro Bowl standards he exhibited in Houston, with a low Total QBR of 33.1 that ranks last if enough starts had been recorded. Due to injuries, Watson has participated in only 19 games, missing the last nine of the 2023 season, including Cleveland's wild-card loss to the Texans, after shoulder surgery.

After re-injuring his Achilles tendon on October 20, 2024, he has been sidelined for the remainder of that season and the entirety of the 2025 season. Watson recalled that during his last appearance at the field, fans cheered when he was injured: "Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fanbase, they cheered when I got hurt. So, what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city and they cheer?"

In the contest, Watson was competing for the starting quarterback position against Shedeur Sanders, who completed 9 of 11 attempts for 74 yards with one touchdown and an interception in his five first-half drives. Sanders executed an 11-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Luke Floriea.

Browns head coach Todd Monken did not provide a clear timeline regarding the starter decision but mentioned he anticipated making one early next week.

Watson expressed feelings of greater support during road games compared to home games, stating, "I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games. So, if it is my spot ... maybe it's 17 away games then. I don't know."

The Browns are set to host the New England Patriots for their preseason finale on Thursday. They will kick off the 2026 regular season at Jacksonville before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 for their home opener.