Watson Asks Browns Supporters for Backing, Not Battle, Ahead of Home Opener
The short version
- Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two TDs in a 23-19 Week 2 win at Tampa Bay, his first Browns win in two years.
- Watson told ESPN he is not at war with fans and wants their support and energy for the city of Cleveland.
- He has played just 21 games for Cleveland since the 2022 trade, with a 34.8 QBR among the lowest for QBs with 15-plus starts.
- Coach Todd Monken says he expects continued improvement and views Watson as still growing within the system.
- Watson's fully guaranteed $230 million contract runs through this season.
Cleveland's quarterback, fresh off his first win in two years, says he wants the crowd's energy as questions about his job persist.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has spent months listening to criticism from his own supporters, who have pointed to both his record of play and the size of his deal. Even a gritty road victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 did little to quiet uncertainty over whether he should keep the starting job.
The hostility has been building for a while. Fans booed Watson during the preseason matchup with Buffalo, which marked his first appearance in front of the home crowd since an Achilles injury cut short his 2024 campaign.
Things looked different in Tampa. Watson connected on 24 of 30 throws for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Cleveland edged the Buccaneers 23-19. He chipped in 22 yards on the ground, delivered the decisive scoring pass, and helped the Browns climb out of a 16-6 hole. The performance gave him his first victory in a Browns uniform in two years.
Speaking ahead of the Week 3 home game against Carolina, Watson addressed a fan base he knows is split. "The biggest thing, I don't [ever] try to go at war with the fans," he told ESPN. He then described what he is hoping to hear from the stands. "So, I think the biggest thing is [I'm] just ready for support, ready to feel their energy, ready to get this big [win] for the city of Cleveland and continue this great feeling that we have this week," he said.
The numbers explain the skepticism. Since arriving via trade, Watson has appeared in just 21 games for Cleveland, and his 34.8 QBR sits among the lowest for quarterbacks with a minimum of 15 starts. A rough showing in any given week could reignite the argument over who should be under center.
The organization's investment is what set expectations so high. In March 2022, the Browns shipped out three first-round selections and signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal. Injuries and suspensions have kept him to only those 21 appearances since, making each start a measuring stick against that enormous commitment.
Head coach Todd Monken remains in Watson's corner. "I'm happy for Deshaun, the way he's played, and I expect improvement, and I expect continued improvement," Monken said Monday. He added that there is plenty of football left in the 31-year-old, noting that consistent footwork, reads, and command of the system are all part of the process. "I see him as still a very young player that is going to continue to grow," Monken said.
Watson's contract covers this season, so Cleveland owes the money no matter who takes the snaps. The franchise now has to judge whether his recent uptick justifies further patience while balancing output, financial obligations, and its longer-term outlook at the position.
Fans can watch Watson and the Browns host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM EDT at Huntington Bank Field on FOX.
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