Rex Ryan blasts Browns’ handling of Deshaun Watson

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Rex Ryan blasts Browns’ handling of Deshaun Watson

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Sep 13, 2026 4:00 PM ET

Rex Ryan is among those who feel the Cleveland Browns have botched their handling of their quarterback situation.

During Sunday’s edition of “ESPN NFL Countdown,” the former New York Jets coach said he would have cut Deshaun Watson instead of rewarding him with a starting job after Watson’s comments about Cleveland fans. He credited Browns coach Todd Monken for being a “better man than I am” by brushing off Watson’s remarks.

“No way would I have started him. No way. In fact, I would have cut him,” Ryan said. “I mean, that press conference… There’s no more important thing than that fan base. No way in hell. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. As soon as I heard that, I’m like, there’s no way.

“I don’t care who is the backup. No way would I have kept this guy. It speaks volumes about Todd Monken. I tip my hat to Todd Monken. He’s a better man than I am.”

The ESPN 'Sunday NFL Countdown' crew sounds off on Deshaun Watson.

Rex Ryan: "No way would I have started him. No way. In fact, I would have cut him. I mean, that press conference… There's no more important thing than that fan base. No way in hell." pic.twitter.com/CycVRoJUwv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 13, 2026

Watson accused Browns fans of having a personal vendetta against him after he continued to hear boos from fans amid a poor preseason. Watson’s belief that the negative reactions had nothing to do with his performance did him no favors with fans, though Monken still stuck by him.

The Browns do not seem to trust Shedeur Sanders enough to hand him the reins and see what he can do. Ryan does not seem to care who the alternative would be, but that the starter simply could not be Watson.

More must-reads: