Boos Reverberate at Huntington Bank Field
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns' preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 22 was supposed to be a key chapter in their prolonged quarterback competition. Instead, it became a flashpoint in the strained relationship between Deshaun Watson and the team's fan base.
Watson, who entered the game in the third quarter after Shedeur Sanders started, was greeted with a chorus of boos from the home crowd at Huntington Bank Field. The negative reception was loud enough to be heard on the broadcast, and it gained strength as Watson struggled. He completed only 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw an interception, as the Browns fell to the Bills 31-7.
For Watson, this was his first home appearance since October 20, 2024, when he suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season. On that day, some fans cheered while he lay on the turf. Two years later, that memory was fresh, and Watson did not mince words after the game.
Watson Calls Boos 'Disrespectful' and 'Personal'
After the game, the quarterback said the booing was not a reaction to his play. "It has nothing to do about the performance," Watson told reporters. "It's a little bit personal. I think that's a disrespectful thing." He referenced the 2024 incident, pointing out that fans cheered him as he was injured. "Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles, and that same fan base cheered when I got hurt." He said he would keep his feelings about the boos internal with his family.
These comments were quickly contrasted with his earlier stance. Three days before the game, Watson had said he didn't care about how the crowd reacted. After his postgame comments, Watson revealed that he actually did care, expressing uncertainty about the impact of the boos. When asked about handling the negativity over a full home schedule, Watson responded, "I don't know," and mentioned that he could treat the 8 home games as away games, per the transcript distributed by the Browns.
Watson's comments added a new layer to the team's selection, but coach Todd Monken immediately clarified that the emotional statements would not sway his final choice.
Monken Names Watson Starter for Week 1
Monken said Sunday that he anticipated naming the starting quarterback Monday, and he noted that Watson's comments would not factor into his final decision. "I think Deshaun spoke from the heart," Monken said. "We all want to play well as a team and individually. There was no question we were all frustrated." The coach said his focus was on the team's overall performance, adding that when the team plays well, "none of the other stuff matters."
On Monday, Monken ended the months-long competition by deciding on Watson. The Browns confirmed that Watson will start the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13, with Sanders as the primary backup. Monken said the decision was based on the entirety of the competition rather than one practice or preseason performance. "Ultimately, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gives us the best chance to move the ball and score points," Monken said.
Sanders, who pushed Watson throughout the competition, handled the news well, according to Monken. "We met this morning for a long time. All he had was a smile on his face because he really understands what is in front of him," Monken said. "Like any player, he's going to work his butt off to get better."
Sanders Shines Amidst the Storm
While Watson felt the brunt of the home fan resentment, teammate Shedeur Sanders reinforced his case. Sanders, the second-year player from Colorado, started and played the entire first half despite the weather delay, and he gave the offense a boost. He completed his first eight passes, finishing 9 of 11 for 74 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His touchdown pass went to Luke Floriea and was a result of a well-thrown ball into the back of the end zone.
"It felt great to be back in the stadium," Sanders told the telecast. "Overall, we operated pretty well." He also admitted to a light-hearted mistake, being named a team captain and forgetting to go out for the opening coin toss, but he treated it as a laughing matter with Monken.
Despite the game being a 31-7 loss, the Bills' performance did not overshadow the quarterback picture. Some NFL insiders said that Sanders emerged from the contest with a realistic case, one that might not have been there earlier. Even Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who intercepted one of Sanders's passes, praised both quarterbacks after the game. "I just want to tip my hat to both of those guys," Hamlin said.
Sanders Defends Watson Against Boos
Sanders also took exception to the crowd's treatment of Watson. "In general, I don't appreciate that at all," Sanders said after the game. "Regardless of competition, we're all human beings." He added that booing was a matter of respect, saying, "We're all out there trying to do our best and trying to serve the franchise the best way possible."
Monken, for his part, said he understood the fans' reaction. When asked whether he found fault with the booing, he told radio station 92.3 The Fan: "The business we are in is a performance-based business. When we expect a service, we're going to be disappointed when we don't get that service." He added, "We've run to this smoke. This is the job we've chosen."
The game itself was delayed nearly an hour due to lightning, and the crowd at Huntington Bank Field was sparse, particularly after the delay. Weather delays and the overall exhibition nature of the contest contributed to a reduced attendance.
A Complicated History
Watson's tenure with the Browns has been marked by injuries, off-field issues, and disappointment. He was traded from Houston in 2022 in a deal that included three first-round draft picks, and he signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. He served an 11-game suspension in 2022 related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions, per multiple reports.
Since joining Cleveland, Watson has started just 19 games with underwhelming results, including 19 touchdown passes. He also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and has twice ruptured his Achilles tendon, which kept him sidelined for the entire 2025 season.
The decision to start Watson over Sanders was met with criticism from fans and some analysts, but Monken has maintained that the choice was made based on football considerations. With the first two games of the regular season on the road, the Browns will have time to see how Watson performs before returning home. Monken said this is not a week-to-week decision, but the situation remains fluid, and Sanders is ready if called upon.
As the Browns prepare for the regular season opener, the booing at Huntington Bank Field serves as a reminder of the deep divide between Watson and the Cleveland fan base. Whether that divide can be bridged with wins remains to be seen.