Browns Fans Demand Deshaun Watson Benching After 24-0 Halftime Deficit to Jaguars
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Sep 13
Browns Fans Demand Deshaun Watson Benching After 24-0 Halftime Deficit to Jaguars
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Sep 13
Summary
Cleveland trailed Jacksonville 24-0 at halftime of its season opener, prompting fans to call for Shedeur Sanders to replace Deshaun Watson.
Watson fueled the backlash on the Browns' opening drive, throwing an interception to Foyesade Oluokun that led to Jacksonville's first touchdown, and later losing a fumble after a sack.
The scrutiny is sharper because Watson beat Sanders in the offseason quarterback competition despite fan pressure to hand the job to the second-year passer.
Sunday was Watson's first regular-season start since October 2024 after he missed all of 2025 following two Achilles surgeries, in what he had described as a crucial chance to prove he still belongs as an NFL starter.