Deshaun Watson acknowledged that his emotions led to his strong reaction to Cleveland Browns fans booing him during a recent preseason game. Watson, who was named the team's starting quarterback on Monday, called the fans' response "disrespectful" after the Browns' 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. He later walked back those comments, stating that "human nature" and his own emotions got the best of him.
"Putting a lot of time in these last two years to get back, spend time at this facility and in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community," Watson told reporters. "I thought I was going to get a little different response, but I think my emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn’t intending to go at any of the fans around in the city ’cause there has been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me."
Fans booed Watson when he entered the game in the third quarter and continued to do so after his first pass was incomplete and when the Browns went three-and-out on his second offensive series. Watson, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn Achilles, understands the frustration.
"I know the frustration. This organization has put a lot of investment to get me back in ’22 and things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it was. A lot of injuries. A lot of time off and not putting the best football and my foot forward," he said.
Watson stated that he thrives off fan energy and community engagement, referencing his past as a "big community guy, big city guy, big fan guy." He takes full responsibility for his comments and is focused on improving his performance.
"I just want to make sure I can give this city something to think about in the first two games and when we come back home, we have something to cheer about and we can celebrate," Watson added.
First-year coach Todd Monken named Watson the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders, emphasizing that it was not a week-to-week decision. The Browns will begin their season on the road against the Jaguars on September 13, followed by a trip to Tampa Bay in Week 2, and their home opener against the Panthers on September 27.
