Dan Orlovsky gives Browns fans advice for reacting to Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders decision

Multiple Cleveland Browns fans who attended the club's preseason home game versus the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday made it known that they wanted nothing to do with watching veteran Deshaun Watson play quarterback for the club.

Nevertheless, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed on Monday that Watson will serve as Cleveland's Week 1 starter over second-year pro Shedeur Sanders. During Monday's edition of the ESPN "First Take" show, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Dan Orlovsky offered some advice to Browns fans who are upset about Monken's decision.

Dan Orlovsky to Browns fans: Stay home on Sundays until Deshaun Watson isn't playing

"Browns fans should not go to games," Orlovsky said, as shared by Front Office Sports. "...Why would I go to this game? At some point, there has to be a tipping point … To watch that press conference and to hear him say, 'I get more love in road games,' what would you expect the love to come from?"

Orlovsky was referencing how Watson ripped Browns fans for what Watson said was "disrespectful" conduct following Saturday's game. While Watson technically did not apologize for his actions on Monday, he did acknowledge that his "emotions got the best of" him and that he takes "full responsibility of that." 

Watson is on track to go down among Cleveland supporters as possibly the most unpopular player to feature for the Browns since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999. Back in March 2022, the Browns sent three first-round picks and other draft assets to the Houston Texans for Watson and a 2024 sixth-rounder. As part of that deal, Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract. 

Watson served an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions in 2022, and he has since appeared in just 19 regular-season games. He hasn't played in a meaningful contest since he suffered the first of two Achilles injuries in October 2024, and he was arguably the worst starting quarterback of that season before he went down. 

Nevertheless, Monken seemingly believes that Watson gives the Browns "the best chance to move the ball and score points" for their Week 1 game at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.

Browns made "pathetic" Deshaun Watson decision

Also during "First Take," ESPN analyst Kevin Clark said the Browns' decision to start Watson is a "pathetic" move. Clark also noted that Cleveland fans associate Watson with the worst trade and worst contract in NFL history. 

Clark added that the Browns should've started Sanders and acquired a different player to serve as their QB2. Clark also suggested that he would've dropped Watson beneath 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-round draft pick Taylen Green on the depth chart. 

Monken clearly disagrees, and Watson will now try to prove doubters wrong and produce a solid performance against the Jaguars.