Being a Cleveland Browns fan is already a tough job since the team doesn’t experience much success, but it has been especially hard to start the 2026 season, because the franchise refuses to abandon the failed Deshaun Watson experiment. After a trade that saw Cleveland give up three first-round picks, an unprecedented five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, and 19 underwhelming games in four seasons, the Browns decided to name Watson as their starting quarterback.
Unfortunately for Browns fans, the veteran quarterback hasn’t shown any improvement as a player, and he also hasn’t shown any self-awareness. That was evident when Watson went after Cleveland fans after they booed him in the team’s second preseason game, and his lack of self-awareness was once again on display during his Wednesday press conference.
Watson was asked if he needs a big game on the road in Week 2 to remain the starter in Week 3, and also to earn some goodwill with Browns fans — a very fair question. The quarterback started his response by saying that’s a discussion for the media. Fair; Watson should be focused on his day-to-day responsibilities, and everyone outside the building can focus on all the narratives at stake.
The quarterback didn’t stop there, though, and what he said next is just proof that he doesn’t get it.
"No, I think, personally, I think all that is for the media," Watson said. "I think the media has this expectation that I’m supposed to throw 400 yards, five touchdowns every week. So, until that happens, I guess it’s going to be the same situation. So again, my job is to make sure I’m operating well so we can try to get a win and keep moving forward from there."
Deshaun Watson’s bizarre quote shows why he will never win over Browns fans
No Deshaun, no one expects you to throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns. Not the media, not fans, not teammates and coaches; no one. In fact, everyone, aside from Browns head coach Todd Monken, is expecting lackluster play, and the quarterback has done a good job of delivering on that.
All anyone in Cleveland ever wanted was for Watson to be a competent quarterback that the Browns could win with. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the veteran QB hasn’t even been able to clear that bar.
The fact that Watson is even carrying on like he’s being held to some unrealistic standard shows that he doesn’t have a good grasp of his reality in Cleveland. The veteran quarterback has been given every chance possible to figure things out, and he has been extended all the grace possible from the people who actually decide whether or not he plays.
Sure, fans and media members have been critical of him, but that’s what his tenure in Cleveland has merited. He hasn’t delivered the play to change that, so his woe-is-me attitude is embarrassing. If Watson hasn’t realized that by now — just like his underwhelming play — things probably aren’t going to change.
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