In what has to be an unprecedented situation in NFL history, a quarterback had to mend fences with his own fan base on the day he was given the team’s starting job. That is where the Cleveland Browns found themselves on Monday, when head coach Todd Monken named Deshaun Watson as their QB1 for this season.
On Saturday, Browns fans booed Watson when he entered their preseason game against the Buffalo Bills and were happy to keep doing so as he played poorly. It showed they still feel the same way about him as they did when they cheered while he was carted off the field with an Achilles injury in October 2024.
Watson called this weekend’s treatment “disrespectful” and “personal,” and he brought up that episode from two years ago to further make his point about the fans. Speaking Monday after he was named the starter, Watson had to address those comments, but he actually stopped short of an apology, simply saying that he was emotional and he understands their frustration.
The timing of these events could not have been worse for the Browns, which is why ESPN host Mina Kimes revealed she was surprised by their QB decision, pointing out that not only does Watson remain a pariah to the fan base, but he’s also not even close to the player he once was.
“I was surprised that, for Deshaun Watson, a player who’s now, it’s been years since the trade happened, since 27 allegations of sexual harassment and assault came out, in that time frame, the fact that he has still not developed the ability to talk about this, talk about personal issues, and not show any sense of contrition is jarring to see. As far as the football side of it goes, I’ve watched every snap Watson has played since becoming a Brown. He is a shell of the quarterback he was early in his career. If I had to just isolate the one thing that stands out, it’s an unwillingness or hesitation to push the ball downfield that stands in such stark contrast to who he was. And frankly, it puts a cap on this offense. It’s not going to be explosive and exciting with this quarterback. Maybe he’s been better at practice. But that practice has not translated to a game situation now in two separate weeks,” Kimes said.
Playing the first half in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Watson averaged 4.4 air yards per attempt and did not throw a pass more than 10 yards. After entering in the third quarter against the Bills, Watson totaled 36 yards on 12 attempts, with 20 of those yards coming on one completion.
Monken clearly has been more impressed by what Watson does before the play, in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage, than what he accomplishes after the snap. It’s been said he got the job over Shedeur Sanders because he has better control of the operation the head coach requires in his offense.
If that is enough to overcome all of the downside Watson presents, it will be another long season for the Browns and their fans.
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