After critique, Amazon's Ryan Fitzpatrick wary of Browns' Deshaun Watson

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After critique, Amazon's Ryan Fitzpatrick wary of Browns' Deshaun Watson

George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, Oct 2, 2026 ·

3 min read

What did Ryan Fitzpatrick say about Deshaun Watson Aug. 27?

When analyzing the Browns quarterback situation, Fitzpatrick said he didn't believe Watson would last long as the starter.

"I also think this is set up here for Shedeur. 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," Fitzpatrick said then. Color analyst Kirk Herbstreit asked him to clarify the comments and Fitzpatrick didn't back down then.

TNF anchor Ryan Fitzpatrick looks on prior to a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

"Yeah, it's gonna happen... Shedeur's playing this year. I think all three of these guys, I think [Dillon] Gabriel's gonna have a chance to play as well," he said doubling down.

Did Fitzpatrick say anything during the Browns vs Steelers game Thursday night?

The start to any NFL season can be a bit wonky and the Browns came into the game with a 2-1 record, like the other three teams in the AFC North, and will be in first place with a win.

Did Fitzpatrick change his tune?

Not really, if judging by pregame comments. He chalked Watson's success up to luck.

"We look at that Tampa game, the lightning delay there's an interception that ends the game. We've got to roughing the passer. He takes advantage of the situation. But where are they right now as an offense?" Fitzpatrick said before listing a litany of stats.

"They're still a bottom five passing team. They're a bottom five rushing team. They're bottom five in third down conversions. They're bottom five in explosives. I'm not trying to put a damper on anything," he said. "What I'm saying is it's a young team, you're 2-1. Let's don't fall in love with being 2-1. There's still a lot of work to be done."

Despite the team's record, Fitzpatrick said he still believes Watson won't be the team's signal caller by the end of the season.

"I think it's too difficult of a situation here. There's a lot going on. There's a lot of moving pieces. We talked to Joe Thomas the other day. There's not a lot of depth on this team," he said. "They're young, but there's not a lot of depth. So as the losses pile up as the season goes on, I think we see somebody else in there."

Ryan Fitpatrick gives Deshaun Watson his flowers at halftime

Fitzpatrick's tone after the first half when Watson hit on 14-of-17 passes for 181 yards and a TD in the first half. He was forced to admit: "Deshaun Watson proved a lot of people wrong - including me."

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.