RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) prepares to run a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Saturday was a rough day for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, both on the field and away from it. The veteran quarterback was booed by the home crowd after struggling in the preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, and his postgame comments later drew plenty of criticism after he called the reception from fans “disrespectful.”
The combination of the fan reaction and Watson’s comments appeared to highlight a growing divide between the quarterback and the city and team, leading some to argue that the Browns should part ways with Watson immediately. However, the Browns made it clear that’s not going to happen.
Not only that, it sounds like Watson is still very much in the running to be the team’s starting quarterback.
Watson Struggles, Blasts Fans
Watson was met with boos from the home crowd during Saturday’s game after completing just 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and throwing an interception across four second-half drives in Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason defeat against the Buffalo Bills.
Following the game, Watson was asked about the reaction from the fans and offered a candid response. He described the booing as “disrespectful” and suggested that the fans’ reaction had nothing to do with his performance.
“The whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said after the game via ESPN . “It’s a little bit [more] personal than that. So I think it’s a disrespectful thing. So yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. And yeah, just move on.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fanbase, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson later said. “So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city, and they cheer?”
Browns Announce Decision
The situation surrounding Watson became concerning enough that some NFL reporters even suggested that his tenure with the Browns could be coming to an end. However, the Browns have not only opted to keep him on the roster, but he apparently remains a legitimate candidate to be the team’s starting quarterback.
On Sunday, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed that Watson will remain with the team and said the quarterback’s postgame remarks would not play a role in the team’s decision at the position. Monken said he hopes to announce the starter on Monday.
“He emptied his heart a little bit, and I don’t think that says who he is,” Monken said Sunday via ESPN . “I see the competitor in him. I see the every-day work he puts in, and he wants to be back. He wants to get back to where he was as best he can, and that’s hard. And again, I think the moment just got him after the game, and it can get all of us.”
Monken also made it clear that Watson remains in contention for the starting job and that the decision will ultimately come down to how the two quarterbacks have performed on the field.
“Even with yesterday, we have to take in the full body of work,” Monken said. “That’s one opportunity that they had on the field, both of them, just like the week before, an opportunity. Just like the practices against the Bills were an opportunity to showcase their ability and others’ ability and where they’re at this point, where we’re at as an offense.
“I look at it: What has been the full body of work? And then ultimately who gives us the best chance to win Week 1?”
“I’m not going to let one half of football, one frustrating moment, dictate what our decision is going to be that we think is in the best interest of the Browns moving forward and especially Week 1,” the coach added.
Monken also insisted that he isn’t concerned about how the home crowd might respond or what it could mean for the team if Watson ultimately gets the starting nod.
“What I’m concerned about is us playing well as a team and on offense,” Monken said. “Because when you play well, none of the other stuff matters. Just play well. Play well, coach well, score points, win games, and none of that will even matter.”
Decision Sparks Outrage
Needless to say, this decision from Monken and the Browns led to a lot of reactions on social media.
“Incredible organization,” wrote Nate Geary of WGR550 in a post on X .
“You don’t play your No. 1 QB in the second half of preseason game No. 2 and then announce him as starter on 5/12 passing and boos from the fans,” wrote Buffalo Bills commentator Todd J. Clausen in a post.
“I almost feel bad for Todd Monken. He’s clearly trying to make this work and he probably took the job thinking he could recapture something in Watson. But there’s absolutely nothing there as a player and the person is NEVER gonna be someone the fanbase will get behind at this point,” wrote Harrison Graham of ChatSports in a post on X .
“ Listening to this Todd Monken press conference, it feels like a real possibility the Browns are going to announce Deshaun Watson as their starter tomorrow,” wrote Ben Axelrod of Front Office Sports in a post .
“You absolutely CANNOT name Deshaun Watson the QB after he went full scorched earth on the fan base and said he didn’t know if he could mentally handle things,” wrote prominent Cleveland Sports account MoreForYouCleveland in a post .
We’ll have to see who Monken names the team’s starting quarterback on Monday.
The post ‘Incredible organization’: Browns spark outrage with Deshaun Watson decision appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions .
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