To the surprise of some while being no surprise to others, the Cleveland Browns are going with Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback.
That's for the Sept. 13 regular season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The move is a controversial one, for sure. Shedeur Sanders started over Watson in Cleveland's second preseason game. When Watson came into the game in the third quarter, it was to boos from the crowd in Cleveland. Watson then proceeded to go 5-for-12 passing with an interception against Buffalo Bills players fighting to make the roster.
Watson took the negativity personally and laid into fans in his postgame news conference.
Despite his play and comments about the fans, Watson is the starting quarterback for the Browns. Here's how some are reacting to it on social media:
The Browns aren't making the right football decision picking Deshaun Watson over Shedeur SandersI understand the argument for starting Deshaun Watson. There’s a lot invested in him. I felt the same way earlier this summer. But at some point you have to make a football decision, not a financial one. After this past week, it was time to move ahead.
— Jahad (@49jahad) August 24, 2026Did Deshaun Watson break Browns fans?So Deshaun Watson is the the last straw and thing that finally broke Cleveland Browns fans? Interesting.
— Aaron Conrad (@AaronConrad) August 24, 2026The Browns are just getting something out of the Deshaun Watson contractThe Browns will name Deshaun Watson the starter every time to get some value from that crazy contract they gave him
— Wambua 🇰🇪 🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩 (@DJ_Royel) August 24, 2026Deshaun Watson getting named as a starter is clearly about money and not performance
— Clemszn (@Cl3mszn) August 24, 2026Browns starting QB Deshaun Watson could take on the man he replaced, Baker MayfieldGet your popcorn ready.
Week 2:
Baker Mayfield vs. Deshaun Watson.
🍿
I have moved Deshaun Watson up in my single quarterback redraft rankings from someone you shouldn't draft to someone you still shouldn't draft.
— Nathan Jahnke (@FFNateJahnke) August 24, 2026Will the Shedeur Sanders be the Browns starting quarterback by the home opener?shedeur is gonna start the first home game. the browns only named deshaun watson qb1 just to say they gave him one last chance due to that contract + the first 2 games are way and he won’t get boo’d as much.. shedeur qb1 starting 9/27
— ۟ (@key_pimpin) August 24, 2026Can Shedeur Sanders win in the NFL?Browns made the right decision to start Watson, Shedeur Sanders can’t win in the NFL
— S. Archer (@SeanArcher215) August 24, 2026How do Cleveland Browns fans do it?Has spent the last 5 years either bad, pouting, injured, or suspended.
Openly engages and antagonizes the fan base, right after another poor showing.
Less than 48 hours later: “You’re our guy.”
Browns fans I don’t know how you do it. https://t.co/GWa5ZbLHkF
How does Todd Monken pick waston as the starter? Thought bro was this great coach who elevates qbs. 2 years and monken out as coach
— legoat (@legoat330) August 24, 2026The Browns should've just gone with Taylen GreenThey could’ve started Taylen Green and I would’ve been on board. Maybe there’s a surprise in there but the Deshaun Watson era should’ve been done and over with.
— Rod (@Rodsto21) August 24, 2026This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns getting something out Deshaun Watson's contract? Reactions to starting QB pick
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