A new survey shows that despite being rival fan bases, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns supporters have something hilarious in common: a hatred for their starting quarterbacks in 2026.
What makes the AFC North special is the long-standing rivalries between the different franchises. With Ohio bordering Pennsylvania, the teams from OH unsurprisingly have a deep dislike for their neighbors in Pittsburgh. It certainly doesn’t help that the Steelers have had so much success during their history while a team like the Browns has had many losing years.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans vote Aaron Rodgers as most hated NFL player
Sep 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The two fanbases have very little in common. But that has changed in 2026, according to a new survey. Before the new season kicked off this past week, Roto Grinders asked 3,070 NFL fans to tell them which stars they hate the most. Unsurprisingly, in the results released this week, Kansas City Chiefs legends Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were a top choice by many for most hated.
However, the findings from Steelers and Browns fans were equal parts interesting and hilarious. The most disliked NFL athletes for both fan bases were actually players on their teams. When it comes to Pittsburgh fans, 18% of them chose Aaron Rodgers. Browns supporters topped that, with 33% of them saying Deshaun Watson was the player they despised the most in the NFL.
Why do Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns fans hate their starting QBs?
Sep 13, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) with running back Quinshon Judkins (10) in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The four-time NFL MVP had a solid debut season for the Steelers in 2025. The 42-year-old led them to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth as he posted 24 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Rodgers getting the most votes among Pittsburgh fans is pretty surprising. However, it may be for two reasons.
First, the team trying to make the playoffs with a signal caller set to retire soon hurts their chance of finding a young franchise QB to build around. Second, most NFL fans don’t like the 10-time Pro Bowler. Rodgers was the most hated NFL player for 24 different fan bases in the survey, including the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Browns lovers hating Watson is no surprise. The franchise traded for the three-time Pro Bowler after missing a year following accusations of sexual assault and inappropriate misconduct during massage appointments by over two dozen women before the 2021 season. He then got a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract after the trade. But when he played, he was either injured or a shell of the player they expected to get.
The relationship between him and Browns fans has only worsened over the last few months, as Watson has shown little accountability or a willingness to humble himself to try and get fan support back after an awful tenure with the franchise.
The Steelers got off to a good start in 2026 by winning their season debut over the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 20-13. The Browns were blown out in Week 1 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-10.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka … More about Jason Burgos