Aug 24, 2026 - Sports

Are the Browns really this stupid?

Troy Smith

African American football player in a white uniform with orange and black stripes, helmet on, towel draped over shoulders, stands on a football field with orange stadium seats in the background. — There goes QB1. Photo: Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Deshaun Watson has done everything he can to not be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but the Browns will head into Week 1 with him at QB1, per ESPN's Adam Schefter and the NFL Network.

State of play: The news follows Watson being booed by fans at Huntington Bank Field during Saturday's preseason game after he completed just 5 of 12 passes and threw an interception against the Buffalo Bills.

What he said: "I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance," Watson said after the game, per ESPN.

"It's a little bit [more] personal than that. So, I think it's a disrespectful thing."

Between the lines: Watson is half right. The boos were personal, but also about his awful performance.

Watson has been a disaster since Cleveland traded three first-round picks for him in 2022 and gave him a record contract amid sexual misconduct allegations.
He's responded by playing poorly in just 19 games over three seasons.

The other side: Watson's backup, Shedeur Sanders, hasn't exactly looked like Patrick Mahomes.

Yes, but: He's likable, has shown flashes of skill and can put butts in seats.

The bottom line: The Browns' organization continues to do Browns things when it comes to the quarterback position.

What's next: Cleveland opens the season at Jacksonville on Sept. 13.

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Are the Browns really this stupid?

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