Deshaun Watson winning the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job did more than surprise Dan Orlovsky. It pushed the ESPN analyst to the point of recommending that Cleveland fans stop showing up.
Shortly after head coach Todd Monken named Watson the Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders on Monday, Orlovsky argued on a First Take segment that the decision should become a breaking point for a fan base that has endured years of frustration surrounding Watson.
Dan Orlovsky Tells Browns Fans To Boycott Games After Deshaun Watson Call“I’m being dead serious when I say this,” Orlovsky said. “Browns fans should not go to games.”
When asked whether Watson being named QB1 was the final straw, Orlovsky did not back down.
“At some point, there has to be a tipping point,” he said.
Orlovsky explained that his frustration was not based solely on Cleveland choosing Watson over Sanders. He said he was essentially split between the quarterbacks based strictly on their play, but Watson’s response to being booed during Saturday’s preseason loss to Buffalo changed his view.
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Watson called the boos “disrespectful” and suggested they were more personal than performance-based. He also said he felt more support during road games.
Orlovsky called that reaction tone deaf, questioning why Watson would expect unconditional support after playing only 19 games for Cleveland since the Browns traded for him in 2022.
The former NFL quarterback said that if he were a Browns fan, he would not attend the team’s home games.
Browns Commit to Deshaun Watson Despite BacklashMonken announced Monday that Watson will start Cleveland’s Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville after the staff evaluated the “full body of work” from the offseason, training camp, joint practices, and preseason.
The Browns are not presenting it as a one-week trial. Monken said in theteam announcement that the decision is not week to week, giving Watson a real opportunity to keep the job.
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That came after Sanders produced the stronger stat line against Buffalo. He completed nine of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Watson went 5-of-12 for 36 yards with an interception.
Sanders finished his rookie season with a 63.0QB Impact score, ranking 37th among 38 qualifying quarterbacks. Watson missed all of 2025 while recovering from Achilles surgeries. His most recent PFN QB Impact score was 59.9 in 2024, also among the league’s worst.
Watson also softened his postgame comments Monday, saying his emotions got the best of him and that he understood fans’ frustration.
That apology did not change Orlovsky’s immediate reaction to Cleveland’s quarterback decision.
The Browns believe Watson gives them the best chance to win. Orlovsky believes fans have reached the point where they should make their displeasure visible by leaving seats empty.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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