Ryan Fitzpatrick has brutal assessment of Deshaun Watson in middle of Browns broadcast

Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t mince words while discussing the quarterback situation in Cleveland during Prime Video’s coverage of the Browns’ 37-13 win over the Patriots in their preseason finale Thursday night.The retired quarterback-turned-analyst predicted that Deshaun Watson — who coach Todd Monken announced Monday will enter the season as the starting quarterback — will “fail” and backup Shedeur Sanders will be embraced by the fanbase.“I also think this is set up here for Shedeur,” Fitzpatrick, who was a 17-year journeyman in the NFL, said during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field.“I mean, Deshaun, once he fails, Shedeur is going to jump into this thing, and he’s going to be the guy — and this city is going to be behind him.” Prime Video’s color analyst, Kirk Herbstreit asked, “You think he’ll fail?” Fitzpatrick — who was seen talking and laughing with Monken before the game — explained that he believes Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will get playing time.

“Yeah.It’s gonna happen.

Shedeur is playing this year… I think [Dillon] Gabriel is going to have a chance to play as well,” Fitzpatrick said.“This is such a young roster with a lot of changing parts and a lot of new guys so they’re going to struggle on offense this year.

“Gabriel started the game for the Browns and played the first half, finishing 12-for-15 with 186 yards and three touchdowns.QB Taylen Green played the second half, ending with 27 passing yards and 66 rushing yards. Watson snapped photos and signed autographs for fans on the sideline.

Watson, who is returning from a re-ruptured Achilles tendon in January 2025, is trying to win back the Cleveland fanbase after he was booed at home in Saturday’s 31-7 loss to Buffalo in a preseason game.He completed 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and one interception over four second-half drives.In his postgame comments, Watson said the boos were “personal” and called the fans “disrespectful.”Watson...