The Cleveland Browns have faced a strong reaction from fans after naming Deshaun Watson their QB1.

The decision has remained a major talking point as Cleveland prepares for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Browns assistant general manager Catherine Hickman addressed the backlash during a recent press conference.

A reporter asked her about the “visceral, negative reaction” to the recent QB1 decision. Hickman then made the team’s position clear. She said winning remains the focus behind every major decision:

"Everything we do is to win football games. That’s how we make our decisions, that’s how we think about it as an organization, and that’s no different at that position."

The Browns announced Watson as their starter on August 24. Head coach Todd Monken said the 30-year-old gave the team the best chance to move the ball and score points against their Week 1 opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Browns fans have strongly reacted to the Deshaun Watson decision

The choice came after a quarterback competition that also featured Shedeur Sanders.

The decision quickly drew attention from Browns fans, many of whom had supported Sanders in recent months. Monken said fan opinion did not influence his decision. He stressed that the coaching staff had to choose what it believed was best for the Browns.

Hickman also praised Monken’s approach. She said he entered the process with a clean slate and followed his own evaluation plan. She was pleased with how thorough and detailed he was before reaching his conclusion.

Written by

Sayantan