![\"Cleveland](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/new-england-patriots-v-cleveland-browns-cleveland-ohio-august-27-deshaun-e1789763826444.jpg\")
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was put on notice ahead of Week 2.<\/p>\n
Chris Simms wants Cleveland Browns<\/a> quarterback Deshaun Watson to stop arguing about expectations and start meeting them.<\/p>\n The former NFL<\/a> quarterback unloaded on Watson during Pro Football Talk, taking issue with his response to questions about his performance and job security. Watson had suggested the media expects enormous passing numbers every week. Simms argued that competent quarterback play would be enough<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe needs to stop taking everything so personal. He\u2019s got to stop. It\u2019s football. When you play like (expletive), everybody\u2019s going to talk about it. Nobody\u2019s expecting you to throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns. No. You made $230 million guaranteed. We just want solid football. That\u2019s all we want,\u201d Simms said.<\/p>\n Simms also questioned how Watson was handling the scrutiny<\/a> surrounding his latest opportunity in Cleveland.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to hear you whine about the fans and what they\u2019re doing and the expectations of the media. No, it\u2019s wrong. Again, it\u2019s self-incriminating. It\u2019s over. And I still feel that way. These are odd comments,\u201d Simms said. \u201cThis is not what mentally strong superstar quarterbacks say or do.\u201d<\/p>\n Deshaun Watson Dismisses Questions About Proving Himself<\/p>\n \n Watson drew the criticism after being asked Wednesday whether he needed a strong game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> to hold onto the starting job and build goodwill before Cleveland\u2019s home opener. He put that discussion on the media.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the media has this expectation that I\u2019m supposed to throw 400 yards, five touchdowns every week,\u201d Watson said, according to the Browns\u2019 official transcript<\/a>.<\/p>\n Watson said his responsibility was to operate the offense well and help the Browns win. He also acknowledged that Cleveland struggled to recover after its opening-drive turnover against Jacksonville.<\/p>\n The Browns lost 34-10, with Watson completing 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception.<\/p>\n His touchdown pass did little to change the afternoon. Cleveland trailed 24-0 at halftime and had just three points before Watson found rookie Denzel Boston for a 46-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Browns finished with 272 total yards and 11 penalties, according to the team\u2019s game summary<\/a>.<\/p>\n Todd Monken Backs Deshaun Watson Amid Questions<\/p>\n \n Browns head coach Todd Monken faced a similar question about Watson\u2019s mindset Wednesday, when he was asked whether the quarterback was in a good place mentally to turn things around.<\/p>\n Monken expressed confidence. When a reporter followed up by saying Watson had offered little insight into that himself, the coach defended his player\u2019s right to decide what he shared publicly.<\/p>\n \u201cI would just say that there\u2019s not one player or coach in that locker room that I don\u2019t have their back,\u201d Monken said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Monken described getting the best out of his players as part of his responsibility as a coach. He acknowledged that an offense struggling to move the ball was frustrating for both him and Watson, while maintaining that he expected improvement.<\/p>\n The coach also admitted Cleveland\u2019s performance had surprised him because of how well the team had practiced. Translating that preparation into a cleaner game is the next step.<\/p>\n![\"Deshaun](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789767937_35_cleveland-browns-v-jacksonville-jaguars-jacksonville-florida-september-13-deshaun-watson-5-e17894097.jpeg\")
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.\n<\/p>\n![\"Cleveland](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/cleveland-browns-v-jacksonville-jaguars-jacksonville-florida-september-13-deshaun-watson-3.jpg\")
GettyJACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA \u2013 SEPTEMBER 13: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> during the first quarter of the game at EverBank Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore\/Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n