It didn’t take two full quarters for Cleveland Browns fans to turn on starting quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Browns fans didn’t hold back their disdain for Watson’s performance in the first half of Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with many of them calling for second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders to replace him:
The Browns entered the locker room at halftime trailing 24-0 against the Jaguars. Their first drive ended in five plays after Watson threw an interception to Foyesade Oluokun, who returned it 22 yards to help set up Jacksonville’s first touchdown. He also fumbled after taking a sack.
Watson beat out Sanders in Cleveland’s quarterback competition this offseason, much to the chagrin of fans who were hoping to see the team hand the reins to the youngster. The 30-year-old missed the entire 2025 season after back-to-back Achilles surgeries, and Sunday’s game marked his first regular-season start since October 2024.
Last week, Watson acknowledged that this could be his last chance to prove he could be a reliable starting quarterback in the NFL.
“Me being my last year of my deal and Year 10, I feel like this is my opportunity to be able to go and showcase that I can still play in this league,” Watson said, per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “I want to continue to play as well. So, this is my opportunity.”
It seems like many feel Watson has already squandered his opportunity, as his first-half performance hasn’t inspired much confidence that he can deliver wins for the Browns this season.
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