Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken recently announced that Deshaun Watson would be the starting quarterback for the team’s preseason opener this weekend. As expected, this choice received a ton of swift feedback from fans, and much of it wasn’t positive.
Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, Ken Carman dug into Monken’s choice, and he talked about how the fans might react. Many people thought they’d never see Watson play for the Browns again – and they were okay with that.
Now he’s coming back, starting for the team, and certain followers aren’t pleased.
“This is what makes this year so bizarre. There are definitely a lot of fans who don’t want to see the other guy. They can’t believe that he’s back and he’s gonna play, and that he’s practicing. They thought they’d never see him in a jersey again. He’s going to start this coming Saturday, but what happens when he hits the field the Saturday after that? Probably a lot of people are going to boo, because he’s a memory of bad football. If the boos are that strong, and it feels like it might be, [Todd Monken’s] not going to notice that?” Carman said.
"This is what makes this year so bizarre. He's going to start this coming Saturday, but what happens when he hits the field the Saturday after that? Probably a lot of people are going to boo…(Monken's) not going to notice that?"
➡️ @KenCarman and @SportsBoyTony on Todd… pic.twitter.com/YmQsD6Q2D2
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 13, 2026
It’ll be very interesting to see and hear the reaction from people during the preseason opener. There is a very good chance that Watson won’t experience a warm welcome from the fans who were ready to close his chapter and move forward.
Much of the fanbase was hoping to see Shedeur Sanders leading the team in the new season. They believe he still has plenty of room to grow, but they feel he has a better shot at moving the franchise forward.
As for Watson, his return is a reminder of his off-field controversies, history of injuries, and enormous contract. He has only played in 19 games for the Browns so far and, to many, hasn’t been worth it. Monken knew he’d elicit a reaction from people when he decided on QB1.
Browns fans have always been vocal about their opinions, and they’ll let them be known this weekend.
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