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So what, that has nothing to do with football anyway. His dad risked everything on a failed, run-down gas station. That's what he comes from. Quit trying to make it something it's not.

Watson's opening statement.

Crazy but true: Browns fans just got 10x the apology 24 victims of gross sex sh*t got.

"Human nature, myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back, spent time in this facility, the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community, I thought I was gonna get a little different response.

My emotions got the best of me, my comments weren't intending to go at any of the fans in the city, because there's been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. And I know the frustration, this organization put a lot of investment into getting me back in 2022. And things haven't been going in the direction we thought it would.

A lot of injuries, a lot of time off, and not playing the best football. I understand the frustration, I understand everything that goes into that. And moving forward, I wanna just focus on football, making sure I'm putting the best product out there. Because I thrive off the energy, I thrive off the energy of the fans, I thrive off the energy of the community, I thrive off all that stuff.

Looking back at my history at Clemson and at the previous organization in Houston, I was a big community guy, big city guy, big fan guy during the games. Again, my emotions got the best of me, I'm human, I take full responsibility for that."

Meh. I don't like it but I dont blame Monken. Monken isn't paid to worry about the fans emotions he wants to win games and he thinks DW is better than SS . He's probably correct at this point.

Unless DW finds lightning in a bottle this will be an ugly season ... Again.

Agree with most people's takes on here other than the fact I understand the decision even if I don't like it ...

Is Watson the future?

Do we have any realistic chance of winning anything this season?

Do the fans love him?
Does the national media like him?
Does anyone other than the blindest of homers actually like him?

Isn’t the reality that the majority of Browns fans, the national media, and pretty much every casual NFL viewer either dislikes or outright hates him?

Will he get booed in his first home game?

And, most importantly, how likely is it that he actually finishes the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback?

A good sign of a dysfunctional organization is when outside distractions overshadow everything else.

Pretty sure they just told you outside distractions overshadow absolutely nothing.

That's he PR line but we all know this will be huge media and fan base distraction. At that point it only makes sense this will spill over into the locker room. But with that being said you can't determine who your starting QB is based on a popularity contest. I do however think this goes beyond that.

You aren't the first person to mention that it's easier to go from Watson to Sanders vs the opposite, but I agree and I even wonder if it's part of the plan. It's really obvious that Watson will be gone just as soon as it's financially/cap possible (not prudent, possible). I think this offense is going to look ROUGH (potentially worse than last year) in the first half of the season. There are too many rookies that are going to take too large of the share of snaps, plus totally new offense, plus totally new Oline that has had pretty much zero time to gel. While this is a little tinfoil-hat-like for my tastes, I do wonder if, in lieu of a legit starter-caliber QB, they just want a guy to eat all that crap (first bunch of games where nobody is on the same page) and then start getting a look at guys that may stick around past this season (literally anyone other than Watson).

Monken doesn't strike me as a guy that is cool with anything other than 100% trying to win games, so this could just be me trying to rationalize this decision.

Valid points. I'm mainly saying they don't care, not that it won't be a distraction. Devil's advocate would say it may help galvanize the team by turning "the noise" into an opponent itself.

That's up to the coaches to manage. History shows most manage good and bad noise, ie... "I don't care how good they say we are, next week's opponent will still be looking to punch us right in the face". I don't think there is an actual problem until the locker room is divided.

Let's be honest though; if we're winning, nobody cares.

It's only when losing is compounded by toeing the company line and you excuse it with stupid catchphrases like Pat Shurmer's "we battled".


That said, not a single one of the questions Flo proposed matter. None. The only one close needs a "massage"...

"Do we have any realistic chance of winning anything this season this Sunday?"

Wasting time. It’s like investing in a failing business because it has slightly more value today than the promising start up. Watson playing well and winning a game is worth just that: some personal stats and one tick in the win column. We get nothing moving forward and the fans will use it for fodder when Monken is on the hotseat. Stupid decision.

Do you really think outside the box now, FATE?

Should the Browns be thinking short-term or long-term in this situation?

These days, whenever the national media and casual NFL fans pay close attention to the Browns, it seems to be because the leadership has made yet another clown move.

That costs the organization goodwill. It reinforces the perception that the Browns are a dysfunctional franchise, and over time, it makes it harder to convince elite free agents to come to Cleveland unless you’re willing to outbid everyone else.

Reputation matters. Credibility matters. How players, agents, fans, and the national media view your organization matters.

In the end, it all adds up.

I think they are trotting him out there in hopes he gets injured so they can recover more money

When Watson fails... they can put in SS and fully close the book on Watson.

That will leave SS to prove that he is or is not a starting/winning QB in the NFL

If SS fails... we are drafting high and taking a QB.

4 for 1

I get what you're saying. The "Us against the world" mentality might prevail. I also think you're right about winning. I won't go as far as to say "nobody" would care if the team is winning but certainly the vast majority wouldn't care and that quiets the noise.

But there will certainly be circumstances at play here which I think will greatly influence how this will play out in regards to the team.

How are things going on the field? If the team is competitive against the good teams and winning against the bad teams with noticeable and steady improvement, I think it will galvanize the team.

If as some suspect the defense takes a step backwards and the O doesn't quickly step up to the plate I could see problems arising. I was never a professional athlete but even in high school I HATED losing! I certainly feel that holds true with the vast majority of professional athletes. You generally never get that far without that fire and passion to win. When and if the players start to feel that noise holds validity that could spell trouble.

Monken is new to the NFL HC position. That's yet another factor. We have no idea how he will fit into that role and be able to control the emotions of the players. Especially if things aren't going well.

I'm certainly not willing to try and make a prediction in that regard but to me, sadly, it's like a lot of seasons we've lived through. The drama surrounding the team seems to be taking the lead role going into the season over our expectations to the outcome of the season itself

I don't think most expect it to be a winning season but the drama built up to this point alone almost makes it must watch TV.

Sounds like the Larry David School of Overthinking Things.

Don't need to think outside the box. This is football, not a talk show about football. From that standpoint, the team, it's players and it's coaches should 100% be adopting short-term thinking at this point.

New coach, new offense, new schemes; a bunch of rookies and a new OL. You are preaching that the unquestionable "right move" is to start Sanders... and mostly basing it on the fact that people don't or shouldn't really care for Watson... and then how that may affect our ability to secure FA talent in the future?

C'mon dude. I won't argue some of the points, mostly that Watson is not the future, but throwing a seemingly slow-to-learn Sanders out there sounds like a terrible idea if there is any semblance of an option. I'll say this out loud for anyone that hasn't noticed yet: Sanders is a sssloww learner.

So, that's my opinion based on the games are "for real" in three weeks, not me pontificating on what are the best long-term options to draw FAs in 2029.

For a team that has no realistic expectations of contending this season we're going to get a lot of attention from everyone that's not a Browns fan and the national media simply because of all of the storylines and drama. Hope the players and coaches can handle it. Could be very distracting.

Hey After many Years..Man I cant say I saw this decision coming but somehow, I'm not surprised..

Yep
DW is a no benefit huge cost investment, that has come to the end of his time.

Sanders will probably be playing by week 3. Green by week 15. The typical 3 QB brownie season.

Irish, would starting Watson have any factor for insurance payouts? I thought I read last year that the Browns could not simply sit Watson. They had to make a conscious effort to play him to collect.

My opinion. If I have to guess, I bet Watson is the most knowledgeable-sounding person in the room. With everyone so new on offense, the key to starting the season is getting everything in rhythm. Then he gets injured.

I'm going to support number 4 because the coaching staff feels he's the best chance at the team winning.

As a Browns fan I cannot hate a player on a team that I love and support who wears the brown orange and white.

Monken said Watson has gone above and beyond in the building and outside the building to try and be a good QB for the Browns.

I wanted to stop being a Browns fan when fans cheered when Couch got injured.

I didn't because the Browns are the team who I love the most

Actually Miles Garret going on National tv and saying he's not wanting to play for the Browns because it's not about the money it's about being on a contender.

Two weeks later he's taking the money. Then getting traded. It upset me more than Watson being named the starter. It's what Watson did. He came to the Browns because of the money. Most players do, while others don't.

But to simply just hate and be so negative before the season starts just isn't healthy. Will it turn out good or bad ?

Who knows, But as a Browns fan I'm going to support # 4, I just imagine how I would feel or react if the fans cheered because I got injured.

As of now, I want to see a win game number one, then every game after that will give me feelings of success or failure.

You Dawgs be good, chill support and put the negative feelings aside until the season starts... jmo


Go Browns ! My team Dawgs , Woof ! Woof !

I saw this one coming (I think a lot of us did). I wonder if the first two games were home if the decision would be the same.

Either way, Watson has a few weeks to prove anything (I think we lose both games regardless of which QB we have). I feel like our organization looks horrible again

Right on, Deisle! Hope you're having a great summer, bro!

Miss you friend ! You and the family as well !

While I don’t like to support Mac in his opinions, especially when he doesn’t know the facts. The fact is Haslam. Walked back those statements in March of this year. Mac obviously didn’t know this by his reply.

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam walked back his previous "swing and a miss" comment by suggesting that the trade for Deshaun Watson could still turn into a "home run" if the quarterback starts and performs well.The Statement UpdateThe original comment: Haslam previously called the massive trade and contract for Watson "a big swing and a miss".The walk-back: At the annual league meetings in March 2026, Haslam updated his analogy, stating that the situation could still progress to "strike two" and potentially end as a "big home run".Current outlook: Haslam noted that Watson is in great physical shape and that there remains a "great chance" for him to factor into the team's plans.


This statement leads credence to Mac’s opinion. I now feel dirty for this post

Like many of you, I expected this, despite Mary Kay et al. I suspect DW just plain out performed SS in practice, but like C vs C-, no ringing endorsement.

That the first 2 are away games doesn’t hurt. But unless DW totally craps the bed I don’t suspect he’ll necessarily switch to SS so quickly. Which’ll make for an interesting week 3. But ultimately, I think they want to give SS the best opportunity and later, when the glue is dry and things settle down is much better than early.

I hate drama but we attract it. This is just more drama.

Look, I didn’t think we’re likely going to have a good season regardless, too much newness, not enough time for the glue to dry, splitting starter reps etc. So this is all rearranging deck chairs on the titanic IMO. I don’t think it’s worth coming to blows over. I know, Tell that to the weirdo Sanders cult.

No one wants DW except the pure utilitarians. The sooner he’s gone the better. But imo it just doesn’t matter much who plays in the first half of the season. If he balls out, that might actually be the worst case scenario. The revenge scenario. We/He wouldnt resign and he’d tank our draft position. The ultimate blue balls move. You gotta know that’s his juice.

I have read many posts in multiple threads suggesting the Browns would take Manning if we can get a pick high enough. Has anyone wondered if the elder Mannings would even let that happen. This kid's grandfather would not let Eli play for San Diego when he was drafted. Do you think Grandpa, Uncles Peyton & Eli and Dad Cooper would welcome this scenario?

I think, should the Browns somehow pick high enough to acquire one of the great, future SB winning franchise QBs, they better find out something that was common in the 1980s. Signability.

Haslam is close friends with the Mannings.

Haslam is close friends with the Mannings.

Another lost season!

Another season with more drama off the field than actual football on it.

And yet another reminder of just how spectacularly incompetent this leadership is.

The next deadline is March 12, 2027, and honestly, it doesn’t even matter if DW somehow wins the Super Bowl. For purely financial reasons, he has to be gone by then.

And the best part? He’ll still leave behind a lovely $86 million in dead cap space.

Absolutely brilliant work, Berry. A true salary-cap masterpiece.

HUH?

I think if the Browns win the SB this year and it was mostly/largely down to Watson, many/most fans would probably say the trade was worth it.

I haven't ruled out Gabriel, and heck, maybe even Green.

I have mentioned Green as a guy we might want to play at some other positions because I just wanted to see him on the field. The way things are going, he might get a look at QB this season.

Moving past this season, unless Watson or Sanders plays well enough to make us forget about drafting a QB in the draft I hope to heck neither one is on the team next season. Both have toxic fanbase's who don't need to be anywhere near a young QB. There will be no QB competition. The new guy will take over and be the guy for at least 3 years.

I just hope we don't cut Gabriel. He is the long term back-up we need on this team. We don't need Deshaun or Dufus in that role because neither will be any good in that role.

The Browns, no strangers to embarrassment, reach a new low naming Deshaun Watson starting QB


Frank Schwab
Senior writer
Mon, August 24, 2026 at 10:51 AM EDTlink


Every team has some level of optimism coming into the season. Then there's the Cleveland Browns, who voluntarily signed up for having their starting quarterback booed mercilessly throughout their home opener.

The Browns know embarrassment. They haven't won a division title since 1989. They went 0-16 in 2017, a year after going 1-15. Their list of quarterbacks since returning to the NFL in 1999 is so long and treacherous, it became a running joke. And Monday brought a new low, even for the Browns.

Deshaun Watson will be the team's starting quarterback in Week 1, the Browns announced. Shedeur Sanders, a younger player who definitively outplayed Watson in the second preseason game, will be the backup. Watson got booed by the home fans Saturday, then waged war with them for it, calling them disrespectful and bringing up fans cheering his Achilles injury. Despite all of that, the Browns chose Watson.

In truth, it was never a competition. We found that out Monday. Someone in the Browns decided long ago that Watson would start. They started a media blitz to ease Browns fans into that idea last December. He was going to start even though in March 2025, team owner Jimmy Haslam called the Watson trade a "big swing and miss." Nothing has changed since then. But Watson, the very definition of a sunk cost, will start the season.

Sorry, Browns fans. You deserve better than this.

Browns fans voice their displeasure
Watson didn't take it well when he was booed after an interception Saturday. He said fans held a personal grudge against him. It was personal, to a degree. But he missed the point, as he has done repeatedly throughout his Browns career.

Browns fans weren't just booing Watson, with his long and sordid off-field history and the trivia answer to "worst trade ever" and also "worst contract ever." They were booing the franchise itself.

There's no logical world in which Watson should be starting Week 1. He's 30 years old. He has never played well in Cleveland. There's no trade value to be salvaged. He is obviously fed up with Cleveland, and Cleveland is fed up with him. When Browns fans booed Watson, part of that had to be letting ownership, the front office and the coaching staff know they did not want Watson playing anymore. They were done. It was a revolt. They are smart enough to know that the Browns should have moved on, even though the franchise itself didn't seem to get that.

Browns fans voiced their displeasure Saturday. They were spit on by the franchise with Monday's decision.

And if Watson thought he was booed in the preseason, just wait until their home opener in Week 3.

Browns have been setting this up for months
The weird part about the Watson ordeal is that the Browns acted like there was a competition when there now obviously wasn't. Sanders completely outplayed Watson last weekend, but afterward Browns head coach Todd Monken twisted himself into a pretzel to justify the predetermined decision to pick Watson.

"I'm not going to let one half of football, one frustrating moment dictate what our decision is going to be that we think is in the best interest of the Browns moving forward and especially Week 1," Monken said Sunday, via Cleveland.com, after Watson played miserably.

That let everyone know that Watson would be the starter. Monken was stuck in a position in which he had to justify the move even though results didn't back it up. It became official Monday, though it's clear the decision was made well before then.

The weird part about it all is Monken told 92.3 The Fan that he had no problem with fans booing Watson, saying, "The business we are in is a performance-based business." Watson has done absolutely nothing, in terms of performance, to get the starting job.

But the Browns have been laying the tracks for this since before last season even ended.

The gaslighting of Browns fans started Dec. 6, when ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport both reported Watson would be back with the Browns (that was before ESPN and NFL Media merged). The news came absolutely out of nowhere about a player who didn't play last season. It came well before the team hired Monken, as well. Then after that there were glowing reports about Watson. In late April, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Watson had emerged as the favorite to start, even though the offseason program really hadn't even begun. There was a long ESPN piece about Watson's redemption that included the premise that he held "no ill will" toward Cleveland, though we found out Saturday he still did. When Watson played decently in the first preseason game, Monken went out of his way to say Watson was "awesome" and "functioned at a high level" even though everyone could see otherwise.

The Browns naming Watson the starter Monday was a decision that seemed to have been made more than nine months ago when they started trying to acclimate Browns fans to the idea Watson would be in their lives another season. That's beyond strange. It's a move with no upside that is agitating a proud and loyal fan base. They floated trial balloons on the move of starting Watson, the fans let the team know they hated the idea, and the Browns went through with it anyway.

It's not that Sanders is a great option, but there's no reason to start Watson. And while teams shouldn't make a decision based on fan reactions, naming a starting quarterback who just waged war with the fan base is stunning. It's an impossibly confounding move by a franchise that won't be good this season but could have at least avoided harassing its supporters.

The factory of sadness has never been sadder.

Everyone has an opinion about this subject and that’s fine. Bottom line DW is starting if he does well good if he doesn’t play well then SS comes in and plays and we get to see what he can do. Seems pretty straightforward to me.

I'm kind of excited for this season now. Not that I expect any great results. This is a rebuild, again. It is going to get really ugly before Christmas.

But the Sanders Media Machine is pretty darned entertaining. They suspend all the pesky facts and just pick and choose the stats, emotions, and weaponized ignorance to push an agenda. You can't tell me that the so-called sports writers who are so emotionally invested in this thing aren't getting some kind of consideration from the Sanders Brand. When he finally does get to see the field, which he will, the media buzz will shift to how awful the coaching is and how they are setting up the most gifted quarterback ever to play the game for failure. I don't know how or why an NFL Coach would put up with the circus given the level of his play. At this point Sanders is providing nothing but grief for the public facing side of the team. He must be one heck of a teammate for them to put up with it from a 5th rounder.

I really hope I'm wrong. If they catch that lightning in a bottle and go on a winning streak I will lose my mind with joy. The way things look right now I'm expecting at least three, maybe four, starting QBs for the Browns this year.