Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said Wednesday he is unconcerned about any potential reaction from home fans when the team hosts the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Watson was asked about the possibility of a negative response from the crowd at Huntington Bank Field.
“I don’t care,” he replied.
The comments came as Watson continues to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback job under first-year head coach Todd Monken. Watson started the Browns’ preseason opener last Saturday against the Chicago Bears, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while losing a fumble.
Sanders is scheduled to start Saturday’s game against the Bills and play through the first half.
Monken has not set a firm timeline for naming a Week 1 starter ahead of the regular-season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13. The coach has indicated the decision could come after the preseason contest against Buffalo, following additional evaluation in practices this week, including a joint session with the Bills.
Watson has been a polarizing figure in Cleveland since the Browns acquired him from the Houston Texans in March 2022. The deal included three first-round draft picks and a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Before playing meaningful snaps for Cleveland, Watson served an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct.
Injuries have further limited his availability. Watson made just 19 regular-season starts with the Browns across the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. In those games, he completed 341 of 557 passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, posting a passer rating of approximately 80.7.
His most recent home appearance came in October 2024 against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Some fans in the stands cheered as he was carted off the field, drawing criticism from teammates including star defensive end Myles Garrett.
Watson missed the entire 2025 season after re-injuring the Achilles during rehabilitation. He returned to game action in the recent preseason loss to the Bears.
Pockets of Browns fans have publicly supported Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick who started the final seven games of last season, over the veteran. Watson has previously addressed the lack of universal fan support, saying he cannot control what people support and must focus on performing as a player and teammate.
The quarterback competition remains close according to team observations, with both players splitting first-team repetitions in practice. Sanders has shown improvement in climbing the pocket and working through progressions, while Watson has emphasized his recovery and preparation after the long layoff.
Saturday’s game marks the second of three preseason contests for Cleveland. The Browns conclude the exhibition schedule against the New England Patriots on Aug. 27. How Watson and Sanders perform in the remaining practices and games could influence Monken’s final decision on the depth chart.
Watson’s contract is in its final season, though substantial dead money would remain on the books in subsequent years if the team moves on from him. The organization has positioned itself with additional draft capital, including picks that could support a long-term quarterback solution in the future.
For now, Watson’s focus remains on the immediate task of competing and preparing, regardless of the atmosphere that may greet him or Sanders at Huntington Bank Field this weekend.
The three-word response underscored his approach amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding the position battle in Cleveland.
