Rex Ryan Claims He Would Have Released Deshaun Watson

The air in Cleveland is thick with anticipation and unease as the NFL season looms on the horizon. For the Browns, the road to Super Bowl LXI begins not with a kickoff, but with a fracture in trust. The roster has shifted dramatically with the departure of Myles Garrett, leaving a defensive void that feels raw and exposed. Into this vacuum steps Deshaun Watson, his return to the starting quarterback role igniting a firestorm that has yet to cool.

The friction stems from a preseason press conference where Watson’s words cut through the professional veneer. He spoke of disrespect, recalling a moment when fans cheered his injury rather than his return to the field. That comment landed like a stone in still water, rippling out to shock even former head coach Rex Ryan. The former coach did not merely disagree with the decision to start Watson; he expressed a desire to sever the relationship entirely, a stance that underscores the depth of the current crisis.

Ryan rejects the starting role

Speaking to the ESPN crew, Ryan’s reaction was visceral and immediate. He dismissed the notion of Watson taking the field, stating unequivocally that he would not have started him. The former coach went further, declaring that he would have cut the quarterback from the roster altogether. His voice carried the weight of someone who had heard the recording and recoiled from the content. It was a stark rejection of the narrative that Watson’s talent outweighs his off-field conduct.

Ryan’s shock was rooted in the personal nature of Watson’s complaints. The quarterback framed his grievances as a matter of respect, pointing to a specific incident where the crowd’s reaction to his Achilles tear felt like a betrayal. This emotional undercurrent complicates the tactical calculus. It is no longer just about passing accuracy or defensive schemes; it is about the intangible bond between a player and the city that pays him. Ryan saw that bond as broken, and his proposed remedy was severe.

Monken navigates the polarizing choice

Despite the external noise, new head coach Todd Monken has anchored the decision. Ryan acknowledged the difficulty of the task, praising Monken for maintaining focus amidst the uproar. The new coach has chosen to block out the criticism, betting that Watson’s presence offers the best path forward for the offense. It is a gamble that requires a steady hand, as the scrutiny on the quarterback will be magnified under the stadium lights.

A season defined by scrutiny

The Browns enter the 2026 campaign with a fragile foundation. The loss of Garrett has stripped the defense of its anchor, while the quarterback controversy has clouded the offensive identity. Watson now carries the burden of proving that he is the player Cleveland envisioned when they acquired him. Every missed throw or stalled drive will be dissected, every interaction with the crowd watched. The drama has already set the stage, leaving little room for error as the first meaningful snap approaches.