The Cleveland Browns quarterback race is over for now and the team has named veteran Deshuan Watson the starter over second-year signal caller Shedeur Sanders, the fan favorite.
Sanders finished a solid 9 of 14 for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the team’s second preseason game. The former Colorado and Jackson State standout led the team on its lone scoring drive in the 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Deshaun Watson Named Starter: Watson To Make $45M This Season
The solid performances and fan appreciation, the public appearances and humility didn’t help Shedeur get the starting nod. Not with the Browns paying Watson $45M this season. The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finished 5 of 12 for 36 yards and one interception. In the aftermath of his shaky performance, Watson talked about fans booing him during his postgame interview, and it’s safe to say the former Clemson Tigers legend wasn’t happy about it.
Fans Not Happy About Cleveland Naming Watson Starter Over Shedeur
“How do you watch preseason and think this guy gives you the best chance to win?,” one fan said on x.
“How? He sucks and the fans hate him,” one netizen quipped.
“someone explain in NBA terms cuz this shit makes no sense to me lol,” one perplexed fan commented.
Monken Says Play Better And Fans Won’t Boo
Watson’s complaining about the fans booing seemingly drew the ire of first-year head coach Todd Monken.
“How does it feel to get booed? It sucks,” Monken said. “I don’t want to get booed. But it comes with the territory, you don’t want to get booed, let’s play good football. Let’s play good at quarterback.”
Monken’s Comments Followed Watson’s Comments On Fans Booing Him
“It’s a disrespectful thing,” Watson said of the fan reaction. “So, yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that.”
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt. So what does that have to do with anything about performance when a person gets hurt, especially for your own city?” he asked. “And they cheer.”
“So that’s why I say it’s more, it’s personal. It is what it is and there’s only so much you can do to change that,” he added
Watson even half-jokingly said that if he earns the job, he’ll feel like he’s playing 17 away games this coming season based on the reaction from Browns fans. That won’t necessarily happen, because Monken said Sanders offered “a lot there to like” with his performance.
Monken Praises The Play Of Sanders
Monken praised Sanders’ play in Saturday’s game. The offensive guru told reporters with Sanders “there’s a lot to like” in his performance.
“He plays with a certain amount of confidence,” the coach added. “He has gotten a lot better at getting rid of the ball. He wants to make a play.”
Fans Chime In
Social media had plenty to say about Browns fans booing Watson.
“At this point the Browns need to find a way to trade Deshaun. He’s damaged goods and not going to get better here,” a fan said.
“This guy shouldn’t even be in the league he’s so finished,” another fan said.
“If it wasn’t for that contract, they probably would’ve cut him a while ago. But I saw nothing wrong with what he said. The fan base has treated him terribly,” someone else replied.
“He’s a terrible human. With a terrible ego. AND has been absolutely trash on the field every chance he gets for the Browns. How do you think he’s going to be treated?” someone commented.
“He plays terribly and is a sex pest. The fan base has been too nice,” another critic said.
From the sounds of it, most fans who chimed in likened the booing to Watson’s off-field accusations more than about his actual play, which hasn’t been great either.
Now he will get a chance to turn the boos into cheers after being named starter.
