Deshaun Watson heard the boos Saturday afternoon. After the game, the Cleveland Browns quarterback made it clear he believes they were about much more than football.
Watson played in front of the home crowd at Huntington Bank Field for the first time since tearing his Achilles in October 2024, entering Saturday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter. Browns fans repeatedly booed Watson during his appearance, and the veteran quarterback didn’t shy away from addressing their reaction afterward.
Watson called the response “disrespectful” and said he believes the hostility toward him is personal rather than simply a reaction to his performance.
“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said, according to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing.”
Deshaun Watson Addresses Browns Fans After Boos
Watson’s relationship with Cleveland fans has been complicated throughout his tenure with the franchise.
The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in 2022 and gave him a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract while he faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Watson has denied wrongdoing, and two Texas grand juries declined to indict him. He later served an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022 after the league determined he violated its personal conduct policy.
His on-field tenure in Cleveland hasn’t gone as planned, either.
Watson suffered a ruptured Achilles against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20, 2024, and some fans cheered when he went down. Several Browns players criticized that reaction at the time. Watson then suffered another rupture during his recovery, keeping him out for the entire 2025 season.
That history was clearly on his mind Saturday.
“Last time I played on this field I tore my Achilles and that same fanbase, they cheered,” Watson said.
Watson’s Rough Performance Didn’t Quiet The Crowd
The timing made Saturday’s situation even more fascinating.
Just days earlier, Watson was asked what reaction he expected from Browns fans and answered, “I don’t care.” He also said his focus was on proving he could be Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
Then came Saturday.
Watson finished 5-of-12 passing for 35 yards with an interception in Cleveland’s 31-7 loss to Buffalo. His first two possessions resulted in three-and-outs before his third ended with Bills defensive back Te’Cory Couch intercepting him.
That performance came as Watson continues competing with Shedeur Sanders for Cleveland’s starting job. Sanders started Saturday and threw a touchdown pass during the first half, although he also had an interception.
Browns coach Todd Monken has yet to announce his Week 1 starter, meaning every preseason snap carries additional significance.
Watson’s performance will be evaluated.
So will Sanders’.
But Saturday made something else abundantly clear: If Watson wins the starting job, Cleveland’s quarterback story won’t simply be about what happens between the sidelines.
The reaction from the stands isn’t going away quietly.
