Deshaun Watson apologizes to Browns fans after securing the QB1 spot: “I got carried away by my emotions”
The $230 million quarterback accepted responsibility and promised to focus on winning after being named Week 1 starter
Deshaun Watson spent the weekend insisting the boos from Cleveland Browns fans were personal. By Monday, with the starting quarterback job officially his, he was acknowledging the frustration is understandable, and his emotions had gotten the better of him.
Head coach Todd Monken named Watson the starter over Shedeur Sanders for Cleveland’s September 13 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving the 30-year-old his first NFL start since tearing his Achilles in Week 7 of the 2024 season.
The decision came two days after Watson struggled in a 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills , completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards with an interception while hearing boos from the home crowd.
“Saturday after the game, I think just human nature, just myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back and spend time in this facility, in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community,” Watson said Monday.
“I thought I was gonna get a little different response, but I think my emotions got the best of me.”
Watson acknowledges why Browns fans are frustrated
That was a notable change from Saturday, when Watson described the reception as “disrespectful” and argued it had “nothing to do with the performance.”
He had also referenced fans cheering when he tore his Achilles during his previous appearance in Cleveland and suggested he sometimes felt more support playing on the road. Monday’s comments sounded far more conciliatory.
“My comments wasn’t intending to go at any of the fans around in the city, cause there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me,” Watson continued.
“This organization have 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,” he added. “A lot of injuries, a lot of time off, and not putting the best football and my foot forward.”
The Browns acquired Watson in 2022 and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Injuries and missed time have limited him to 19 games with Cleveland.
Monken gives Watson stability after QB battle
Monken made clear that one poor preseason outing didn't outweigh the broader evaluation.
He said Watson gives the Browns their best chance to move the ball and score points, while also stressing that the decision won't be treated as a week-to-week competition.
“My emotions got the best of me; I’m a human,” Watson said. “I take full responsibility of that.”
“I just wanna make sure that I put the best product for the team, for the organization, and for the city,” Watson added. “So we can put a lot of wins and make sure that I celebrate and put Cleveland on the map.”
The words are different now. The next test is whether the football follows.
