Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said the booing he received from the team's own fans during Saturday's home preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills was "disrespectful" and "personal." Watson, who has had a strained relationship with Browns fans due to injuries, off-field issues, and his massive contract, was booed repeatedly during the second half of the 31-7 defeat.
Watson's Performance and the Fans' Reaction
Watson completed just 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw an interception during the preseason game. He entered the game off the bench in place of Shedeur Sanders, who is competing with Watson for the starting quarterback job. Browns head coach Todd Monken has not yet announced which quarterback will start the season opener in Jacksonville on 13 September.
Saturday's game was Watson's first at home since he tore his achilles tendon in October 2024, an injury that some Browns fans cheered. Watson addressed the booing after the game, saying, "It has nothing to do about the performance. It's a little bit personal. I think that's a disrespectful thing. I'm going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on."
A Complicated History with Cleveland
Watson's relationship with Browns fans has been complicated since his arrival. In 2022, the Browns traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans for Watson, who had been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women. Cleveland then awarded Watson a $230m fully guaranteed contract. Watson never faced criminal charges, but the NFL suspended him for 11 games of the 2022 season after its own investigation.
Cleveland's investment has not paid off. Watson has yet to complete a full season with the Browns due to injury and suspension. He has thrown 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in four seasons with the team, and in the 2025 NFL season alone, 20 quarterbacks threw more than 19 touchdowns. The Browns have played just one postseason game since his arrival, which they lost, despite having one of the league's best defenses. Watson missed that game due to injury.
Watson also recalled the fans' reaction to his injury in 2024, saying, "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."
Watson's Uncertain Future in Cleveland
Watson said he is not sure if he can win back the Browns fans. "When I'm in public, no one's mentioned anything," he said. "Because this is social media, players can't respond back. And then in the stadium, players can't respond back. So I get it. I understand it. So it is what it is."
"It's a mental battle every day. I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games. So if it is my spot and he [Monken] does make me the (starter), maybe it's 17 away games then," Watson added.
Last year, Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted the team's decision to acquire Watson has been a "big swing and miss."
