Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson might have played himself out of a job on Saturday. Watson was great in the preseason opener, but Saturday’s performance and press conference afterwards might have completely derailed him.
Watson expressed displeasure with the fans booing him for his performance on Saturday. The veteran quarterback continues to make it sound like he doesn’t want to be there. Insider Daniel Jeremiah believes Watson truly wants out of Cleveland before the season starts.
“I don’t see the path forward there. Where he is right now, that doesn’t sound like someone who even wants this job,” Jeremiah said.
The Watson postgame interview is going to be the topic of the week. pic.twitter.com/gZU6XjacsJ
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) August 22, 2026
Watson was horrible during Saturday’s preseason contest, and he didn’t help himself at all during the postgame press conference. It sounds like Watson is still upset with the fanbase for cheering when he tore his Achilles tendon in 2024. Watson has been awful since he signed his contract with the Browns, and hasn’t done himself any favors off-the-field.
The veteran quarterback is entering the final year of his massive five-year contract. He’s still owed over $40 million this upcoming season, but that doesn’t mean he must be on the roster. The Browns could potentially absorb the rest of the money and cut Watson, assuming he continues this path.
It’s extremely unlikely that Watson will be part of the organization after the 2026-2027 season. The Browns have little incentive to keep him around if he continues acting like he doesn’t want to be there. The fanbase doesn’t want Watson there, and he has worn out his welcome in Cleveland.
The best course of action would be for the Browns to cut ties with Watson before the season begins. They can give Shedeur Sanders the starting gig and use Dillon Gabriel as the backup. The Browns aren’t sure if either player is the future in Cleveland, but at least they want to be here.
The Browns might give Watson a chance to redeem himself in the preseason finale. However, he might have already burned his bridge in Cleveland, so a breakup might be the best decision for both sides at this point in time.
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