RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson: Browns fans boo controversial veteran as QB battle rages originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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Fans of the Cleveland Browns have not had much to cheer about in recent seasons. In fact, before the 2026 campaign even began, quarterback Deshaun Watson was subject to home-crowd boos after throwing an interception during the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday afternoon.
Since arriving in Cleveland after signing a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, Watson's play has been dull, to put it nicely. After three straight seasons with the Houston Texans that featured consistent 3,800-plus-yard seasons and 26-plus passing touchdowns, he has yet to tally either of those marks in a season with the Browns from 2022 through 2024.
Watson's contract was already flagged by many throughout the NFL as a risky one, and after his 2022 suspension due to multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations, Cleveland fans were already not too excited about their quarterback worth $230 million.
Here's a look at the quarterback debacle in The Land and why the drama has started even before the team's initial Week 1 kickoff.
MORE: Why was Deshaun Watson suspended before the 2022 season?
Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders preseason stats
While Watson should still see the first Week 1 snap of Cleveland football this season, neither he nor Sanders has established himself as a viable first option. Neither quarterback has yet to tally over 200 yards through the air this preseason, and the duo has more interceptions than passing touchdowns.
Here is a rundown of the splits between Watson and Sanders during their time at the offensive helm through two preseason weeks:
Deshaun Watson Shedeur Sanders 59.2% (16/27) CMP% 68.1% (15/22) 162 PaYds 153 0 PaTD 1 1 INT 2 17 RuYds 5 5 Carries 3 MORE: Cleveland Browns complete 2026 schedule
Why did Browns fans boo Deshaun Watson?
Boos echoed through Huntington Bank Field after Watson overthrew wide receiver Gage Larvadain in the middle of the field. The pass hit the outstretched hands of Larvadain, but Watson's throw was just too high for the receiver to pull in, and Buffalo DB Te'Cory Couch wasted no time gathering the deflection.
Te'Cory Couch with the INT! BUFvsCLE on @nflnetwork Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UQXxepOOG7
— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2026 Up until that point, Watson had only completed two passes for positive yardage (out of six passes) for 24 total yards. It's safe to say the Cleveland faithful had enough of the subpar play from their $230 million man.
Deshaun Watson continues to play at a level that is extremely far from NFL caliber. You know what would be worse? Those paid millions to make decisions ignoring reality and making him QB1. The Browns owe it to the rest of that locker room & their fans. You can’t play that guy.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) August 22, 2026 MORE: Is the Browns' stadium among the most expensive in the NFL?
What did Deshaun Watson say about getting boo'd?
After a rough outing against the Bills (5/12, 36 passing yards, 1 INT), Watson opened up about the string of boos he heard after throwing an interception. The 30-year-old believes that the booing is "personal" and that the same fans cheered as he left Huntington Bank Field last season with a torn Achilles.
Here's what Watson said after the game regarding his reaction to the interception:
Deshaun Watson said Browns fans booing him today was "personal," via @jsproinsider : "Last time I played on this field I tore my Achilles and that same fanbase, they cheered." pic.twitter.com/Ef9bI1hxTd
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 22, 2026 "Yeah, I didn't have no reaction," said Watson. "I think the biggest thing is, I think you guys know too, I think the whole world knows, it has nothing to do about the performance. It's a little bit more personal than that. So I think that's a disrespectful thing."
"Last time I played on this field, it took my Achilles," Watson said. "That same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt."
When asked about whether or not he regretted joining the Browns, the quarterback said he had no regrets and that God put him through situations for a reason.
"I don't regret anything in my life," said Watson. "You know, I think the Lord put me through situations for a reason, so I don't regret anything at all."
"Sometimes the tables turn, and I'm patient enough because I'm a child of God to wait for that time to change."
Watson: Only time I feel that energy is when I’m in the stadium or it’s on social media. When I’m in public nobody says anything. “I feel like I get more love on road games than I do in home games.”
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) August 22, 2026 What did Todd Monken say about Deshaun Watson being boo'd?
After Cleveland's 31-7 blowout loss in their second preseason game against Buffalo, Coach Monken was called upon to voice his thoughts about fans booing the team's veteran quarterback. The head coach defended his quarterback, with Monken saying he is proud of "the way he's [Watson] worked to get where he's at," but the team flat-out needs to be playing better.
Here's what Monken told the press:
#Browns Todd Monken on Deshaun Watson’s performance, getting booed and what to do about it: pic.twitter.com/modzMhdhl5
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 22, 2026 "I don't wanna get booed. It comes with the territory," said Monken. "You don't wanna get booed? Let's play good football. Let's play good at quarterback. Let's play good at offense. Let's play good as a team."
"And then you don't have to worry about all that...
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