Former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing heavy criticism over his candid comments during his postgame press conference following the Cleveland Browns’ 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason.
Watson believes the fans in Cleveland are against him for personal reasons, not strictly for his play on the field.
This comes as a decision about the Browns’ starting QB job is expected some time next week.
Ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson Booed in Home Game
GettyDeshaun Watson had a strong reaction to being booed at home.
Watson faced boos from the fans in attendance on back-to-back possessions at one point during the game as he left the field, but the former Texans star was adamant postgame that it was strictly “personal.”
He also told reporters postgame that he had “no reaction” to the crowd’s reaction to him.
“I think the biggest thing is, I don’t–I think you guys know too, and I think the whole world know it has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit [more] personal than that. So, I think that’s–it’s a disrespectful thing,” Watson said on August 22. “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.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah believes Watson’s outburst was a sign of pent-up frustration and, perhaps, that the three-time Pro Bowler is ready for a change of scenery.
Fan calls for Watson’s ouster grew in the wake of his comments.
Watson was 5-for-12 for 35 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception against the Bills. Pressed on whether playing better would help, he remained obstinate.
“Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles, and that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt,” Watson said. “What does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person get hurt, especially for your own city, and they cheer?”
Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He was showered with derisive cheers as he was loaded onto the cart, tears in his eyes, riding into the tunnel.
Moving on from Watson still remains fiscally unfeasible for the Browns. Watson is in the final year of a five-year, $230 million contract that is fully guaranteed. Cutting him now would incur a massive dead cap hit and leave the Browns, possibly, without their best option at QB.
Deshaun Watson Ready for ‘17 Away Games’
GettyDeshaun Watson said he is ready to face a road-game environment every week amid fan reactions.
Watson, who has played in 19 regular-season games since the Texans traded him to the Browns in 2022, said he feels he has done a “good job” leading the team and showing he is a starting quarterback in the NFL.
He would not say if he believes he has earned the Browns’ QB1 job.
Watson did, however, say that he was unsure if he could ever foster a positive relationship with Browns fans. He admitted that it is a “mental battle” dealing with the negativity.
“Only time I feel that energy is when I’m in the stadium, or it’s on social media. Like I mentioned before, when I’m in public, no one has mentioned anything. So, I think that’s the only time those people that’s holding it in is trying to disrupt the energy,” Watson said. “Because this is a social media era, players can’t respond back. And in the stadium, players can’t respond back. So, I get it. I understand it So, it is what it is.
“I feel like I get more love on road games than I do home games. So, if it is my spot and he [Todd Monken] does make me the [starting quarterback], maybe it’s 17 away games then. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Deshaun Watson Admits Misreading Situation in Cleveland
GettyDeshaun Watson said he believed he did enough to repair his relationship with Browns fans.
Watson, whose star turn came before injuries truly set in with two dozen sexual assault allegations levied against him. He has since put the legalities behind him. Fans are different.
Watson felt like he had done a lot to help repair his fractured relationship with fans.
“I thought being away for two years, and working myself back from two Achilles injuries, and putting the time in, and being around the facility, being around the city, 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, and the character would help,” Watson said.
“I guess it it haven’t. So, that’s why I say it’s more–it’s personal. So, it is what it is. People have their own opinions. It’s only so much you can do to change that.”
Watson said that all he can do is keep working and strive to be “better mentally moving forward.” He cited his wife and mother as being his support system during dark moments. But Watson’s comments are likely to resurface in the coming days.
Deshaun Watson Under Fire After Lashing Out as Decision Looms