Even for the Cleveland Browns, their quarterback situation is an unmitigated disaster.
Two days after he lambasted Browns fans for being “disrespectful” and booing him during their exhibition game, Deshaun Watson has been named the starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season.
The 30-year-old, who was accused of sexual misconduct and assault by dozens of women during massage therapy sessions, then missed the 2025 season rehabbing a twice-torn right Achilles tendon, beat out Shedeur Sanders, who ended last season as the starter. Head coach Todd Monken had said on Sunday that Watson’s comments wouldn’t be a factor in the decision.
“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said on Saturday about the fan reaction. “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.”
On Monday, Watson started his press conference with a two-minute statement apologizing to fans.
#Browns QB Deshaun Watson apologized for his comments about the fans today, saying it was human nature and his emotions got the best of him.
Here’s the full opening statement: https://t.co/d6PNMDufqY pic.twitter.com/HLavtG5w0E
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 24, 2026
“I thought I was going to get a little different response,” Watson said, “but I think my emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn’t intending to go at any of the fans around in the city, because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. And I know the frustration. This organization has put a lot of investment in coming to get me back in ’22, and things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it was. A lot of injuries, a lot of time off, and not putting the best football and my foot forward.
“I understand the frustration. I understand everything that kind of goes into that. And moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that I’m putting the best product out there, having the best ability, because I thrive off the energy. I thrive off the energy of the fans. I thrive off the energy of the community. I thrive off all that stuff.”
For his part, Sanders defended Watson following the boos, saying that he did not appreciate it.
Even though he earned the starting nod, it’s widely presumed that this will be Watson’s final season in Cleveland. He has started just 19 games over his first three years since coming over from the Houston Texans, and is still owed around $86 million in salary-cap commitments after this season.
“It was a big investment, and we haven’t got the product out of that investment just so far,” Watson said on Monday. “And I have another shot. I have another chance. So I want to make sure I take full responsibility of this opportunity.”
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.