Deshaun Watson was booed by Cleveland Browns fans during the second half of the team's 2026 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on August 22nd at home. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw one interception in the game [1, 2, 3]. Browns wide receiver Shedeur Sanders outperformed Watson in the same game, completing 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards with one touchdown and one interception [3].
Watson called the booing "disrespectful" and said it felt "a little bit more personal than that." He pointed to the same fans cheering when he tore his Achilles tendon at home in October 2024. "Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. That same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. What does that have to do with anything about performance?" Watson said [1, 2, 3]. He added, "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 it's a disrespectful thing." [2]
Watson acknowledged his difficult tenure with the Browns since being traded from Houston in 2022 for six draft picks, including three first-rounders. He signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract but has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. Across 19 games, he has thrown 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and missed part or all of several seasons due to two Achilles injuries and a shoulder injury [1, 2, 3, 4].
Watson said he felt more support from opposing fans than from Browns fans at home, noting, "I feel like I get more love on road games than I do at home games. So, if it is my starting job ... maybe it's 17 away games, then." [4]
On August 24, after the team named him the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, Watson held a press conference apologizing for his critical remarks. "I thought being away for two years and working myself back from two Achilles injuries... being around the city, doing charity work... I thought I was going to get a little different response. But I think my emotions got the best of me," he said [5, 4]. He emphasized that his comments were not meant to offend all fans.
Browns coach Todd Monken said fan reactions would not impact the decision to start Watson or Sanders in the season opener scheduled for September 13. "When we play good football, everybody will be fine. It's about playing good football. They don't want to get booed," Monken said [1, 5, 3].
The Browns will face their first regular-season game on September 13, with Watson expected to start under center.
