The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback, settling the position ahead of the 2026 season. Per CBS Sports, the decision comes despite Watson's contract making it "almost impossible for him to remain with the team beyond this year."
The announcement has drawn sharp reaction from the fanbase. Hours after being named starter, Watson attempted to address criticism from Browns supporters, telling reporters "I understand the frustration" without offering a full apology. This came two days after he called out fans for being "disrespectful" and booing him during an exhibition game. Yahoo Sports reported that Watson "made an effort to repair the relationship with a fan base that does not want him," while an opinion piece in Yahoo Sports criticized the Browns for "squandering the future" and "telling fans their feelings don't matter."
Watson, 30, beat out Shedeur Sanders for the starting role. Yahoo Sports noted that despite the starting nod, Watson "doesn't project well for fantasy football." Multiple outlets characterized the situation as contentious, with Awful Announcing describing the Browns' quarterback situation as "an unmitigated disaster."