Why does Deshaun Watson continue to face Browns fans’ backlash? Here’s what NFL radio host Jim Rome had to say

Deshaun Watson has the Cleveland Browns’ starting job, but winning back the fans could be much harder. Browns supporters booed him during the preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on August 22, and Watson later said the reaction felt personal. NFL radio host Jim Rome sees it differently. He believes the anger comes from Watson’s performance, his Cleveland tenure and the quarterback’s response to the criticism.The Browns still named Watson their Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders on August 24. That decision came after Watson completed just 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards against Buffalo. Sanders went 9 of 11 for 74 yards and a touchdown. For Rome, though, the issue stretches far beyond one preseason game.Jim Rome says Browns fans have reasons to turn on Deshaun WatsonSpeaking on The Jim Rome Show, Rome pushed back hard against Watson’s comments about the crowd. He argued that Watson cannot expect sympathy after failing to produce for Cleveland.“You go out, you play like a**,” Rome said on his show while discussing Watson’s performance against Buffalo. “And then you attack your own fan base again.”Rome then questioned Watson’s response to the boos, saying it showed “no accountability” and that the quarterback continued to blame others rather than accept responsibility.The radio host also made his central point clear. He believes Browns fans dislike Watson for both personal and football reasons.“Well, Browns fans are making it pretty clear that they don’t owe the creep a damn thing,” Rome said. “And they don’t, except booing him the next time they see him.”Rome’s criticism did not stop there. He argued that Watson has not given Cleveland enough on the field to expect unconditional support.“It’s both personal and performance-related for Browns fans,” Rome said.That view comes after a difficult Cleveland tenure. The Browns traded three first-round picks to the Houston Texans for Watson in 2022 and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Since then, Watson has played only 19 games for Cleveland.Deshaun Watson’s Cleveland production has made the backlash harder to escapeDeshaun Watson arrived with a strong résumé. In 2020, his final full season with Houston, he threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns in 16 games.His Browns career has never reached that level. Injuries and suspensions have limited his availability, while his performances have left Cleveland searching for consistency.Rome revealed that frustration even more bluntly.“It seems to me they do hate the guy personally,” Rome added. “But they also hate the guy on the field too because all they’ve ever seen on the field since he arrived there is a** and garbage. And all they’ve ever seen off the field is a terrible, entitled, out-of-touch attitude. And again, with no remorse or contrition.”Now Watson gets another opportunity to change that perception. Cleveland will open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13.The Browns have given him the job. The next step belongs to Watson. If his play improves, the noise could fade. If it does not, the boos may only get louder.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.