Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson may be rivals for the Cleveland Browns’ starting QB job, but they’re still teammates. Sanders felt compelled to remind people of that after today’s preseason game.
The Browns lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-7 in today’s exhibition game. Sanders got the starting nod and played well aside from an interception. Watson, on the other hand, completed just five of 12 passes and threw an interception of his own, and was booed off the field at one point.
Following the game, Watson seemed to admonish the fans for booing him for reasons having nothing to do with play. During his own postgame conference, Sanders also told off fans who were booing his teammate.
“I don’t appreciate that at all, regardless of competition. We all need to understand that in THIS ROOM. For the fans we appreciate y’all… it’s just a respect thing that I feel should be there… so I don’t really appreciate that,” Sanders said.
Fans vs. Watson
As much as Sanders may want the fans to feel that way, the fact of the matter is there’s a lot of negative feelings within the Browns fanbase towards Watson for both football and non-football reasons.
“Respect??? Seriously, respect? Deshaun hasn’t done anything his entire time in Cleveland. Those fans don’t owe him a damn thing. He should just shut up and keep cashing his checks while they have to pay him,” one user on X wrote.
“Counterpoint: Browns fans have every right to boo Deshaun Watson. They also have every right to boo the Browns,” wrote another.
“I appreciate Shedeur Sanders taking one for the team here. This shows good leadership but it’s not just about Watson the person it’s about his contract and all that management has done to the Browns fans,” a third wrote.
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A formal decision from head coach Todd Monken on who the Browns’ starting QB will be for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars is expected next week.
Based on what we’ve seen today, it seems that fans won’t be happy one way or another. But they might get downright furious if Monken gives the job to Watson.
