Deshaun Watson has a complicated relationship with Cleveland Browns fans. And for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon during the 2024 season, the veteran quarterback returned in front of the fans during the Browns’ second preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The fans, however, didn’t welcome Watson with cheers. Instead, the quarterback was booed amid his competition with Shedeur Sanders. Now, Sanders has come to Watson’s defense, noting that he doesn’t appreciate the scenes.

“In general, I don’t appreciate that at all. Regardless of competition with all human beings, ” said Sanders. “And I think we all need to understand that in this room, too, we are humans. So it’s like, I don’t really do things as humans I wouldn’t really want done to me, and I don’t really like making people feel uncomfortable in different spaces. And that’s why, even sometimes, the only things I do, I try to make sure everybody is comfortable, because a lot of things, just even how I am as a person sometimes, can make people uncomfortable.

“So, I’m obviously aware of that. And just for all the fans and everything, we appreciate y’all showing up and everything. And however y’all feel about the situation, about Deshaun and about everything, still, I think it’s more about a bigger purpose or just respect. It’s just a respect thing that I feel like should be there. Because we’re all out there trying to do our best and trying to serve the franchise the best way possible. We’re going out there to win games. We’re doing everything we can do. So, I don’t really appreciate that.”

Head coach Todd Monken started with Shedeur Sanders against the Bills after going with Watson a week earlier. After the first half, when Watson’s name was called, fans instantly started booing the signal-caller, who completed 5-of-12 passes for 36 yards and one interception.

Get The Huddle Newsletter. The day's biggest NFL stories — rivalries, matchups, expert analysis, power rankings, and insider draft news.

The background behind the criticism, however, was obvious. Watson began his Browns tenure with an NFL suspension in 2022 and failed to live up to the expectations surrounding his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. During his tenure, he started just 19 games while struggling to maintain consistency.

A shoulder injury ended his 2023 season midway, while an Achilles tendon injury forced him to miss out on the majority of the 2024 season. When Watson tore his right Achilles during the Week 7 game against Cincinnati, fans started cheering for his disappointing performance.

The same injury, meanwhile, forced him to miss the entire 2025 season after he suffered a re-rupture to his Achilles tendon, requiring surgery. Now, Deshaun Watson is entering the final year of his five-year deal, and it’s safe to say that Browns fans have long moved on from him. The quarterback, however, called the booing disrespectful.

“I didn’t have no reactions. I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said of the boos. “It’s a little bit personal. I think that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on.”

That said, the quarterback competition in Cleveland continues. Todd Monken started with Deshaun Watson in the preseason opener, while Sanders got the nod against the Bills this week. Ahead of the preseason finale, it’s worth noting whether the head coach will name his starting quarterback between these two. As for Watson, he’ll surely have to win games for the Browns to get rid of booing if Monken names him the QB1.