Deshaun Watson is poised to start the Cleveland Browns’ NFL opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars despite being booed by fans during a pre-season home defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Quarterback Watson, who said fan acrimony towards him was “personal” following the 31-7 loss, has been chosen for the trip to the Jaguars on September 13 and trip to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a week later, NBC reported.
The 30-year-old split quarterback duties with Shedeur Sanders against the Bills, making five of 12 passing for 36 yards and throwing an interception, as well as two completions to KC Concepcion and supplying Blake Whiteheart with a touchdown.
Deshaun Watson: Why did Browns fans boo?
In 2022, the Browns signed Watson from the Houston Texans in an exchange that included sending three first-round picks the other way.
Dozens of women had accused Watson of sexual assault. He never faced criminal charges over the allegations but received an 11-game suspension during the 2022 season following an NFL investigation.
The Browns gave the newcomer a $230 million fully guaranteed contract but he has been hindered by injuries and suspensions in each of his seasons with them, compounded by consistently underperforming compared to the heights he reached with the Texans, making the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons.
What did Deshaun Watson say about Cleveland boos?
“I didn’t have no reaction,” Watson said when he was asked about the hostility, which led to reports that he has no future with the Browns.
“The biggest thing is… I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance.
“It’s a little bit more personal than that, so that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally and just move on.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles [in October 2024 and January 2025]. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt.
“What does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city, and they cheer.
“I don’t regret anything in my life. The Lord put me through situations for a reason. I don’t regret anything at all.
“I had different thoughts on how it was going to be but it is what it is. Sometimes the tables turn and I’m patient enough, because I’m a child of God, to wait for that time to change.
“I’m not tripping on it. [The selection is] going to be coach Monken’s decision. I just continue to try to win a day each and every day.
“I’ve done a good job to be able to lead this team and be a starter in this league. The only time I feel that [hostile] energy is when I’m in the stadium or it’s on social media.
“When I’m in public, no-one’s saying anything. [On] social media, players can’t respond. Then in the stadium, players can’t respond.
“It’s a mental battle every day. I feel like I get more love on road games than I do home games. If it is my spot and he does make me the name, maybe it’s 17 away games, then. I don’t know.
“I thought being away for two years and working myself back from two Achilles injuries and putting the time in [would ease the situation].
“[I thought] being around the facility, doing charity work in the city, supporting the Cleveland Browns, hanging out with fans whenever I do see them, being honest, being the type of person I know I am, with character, would help.
“I guess it hasn’t. So that’s why I say it’s more personal. People have their own opinions. There’s only so much you can do to change that.
“I just have to continue to work on it and strive to be better mentally.”
Deshaun Watson stats: NFL seasons
The Browns have extended their season once since Watson’s arrival, losing at the Texans in the Wild Card Playoffs in 2023, when he was absent through injury.
| Season | Games | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
| 2024 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
Deshaun Watson salary
When Watson joined the Browns, he signed a deal worth $184m over the first four years of his new contract, according to ESPN.
The outlet reported that figure as a $48m raise on his scheduled earnings under his Texans contract.
At the time, Watson’s guaranteed money was an NFL record. The Dallas Cowboys then gave Dak Prescott a guaranteed $240m in 2024, with the Bills breaking the record again by guaranteeing Josh Allen $250m in 2025.
