The Cleveland Browns have named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson as their starter for the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaivng out Shedeur Sanders for the role.

Watson will make his first regular-season appearance since October 2024, when he tore his Achilles.

He suffered another tear in January 2025 and missed the entire 2025 season, CBS Sports reported.

The decision comes days after Watson criticised Browns fans who booed him during a poor preseason performance against the Buffalo Bills.

“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit more personal than that. So, I think it’s a disrespectful thing,” Watson said, according to CBS.

Head coach Todd Monken said the remarks would not affect his quarterback decision.

Watson had generally been considered the slight favourite over Sanders during the competition, regularly receiving first-team repetitions during training camp.

The 30-year-old joined Cleveland from the Houston Texans in 2022 in a blockbuster trade before signing a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.

Watson has played just 19 games for Cleveland since the trade. The upcoming season will be the final year of his contract.