Deshaun Watson returns to Cleveland on Saturday while competing with Shedeur Sanders for the Browns’ starting quarterback job. (Image via Getty)Deshaun Watson is about to play in front of Cleveland Browns fans for the first time since Oct. 20, 2024. He already knows boos could be waiting for him.NFL.com’s Kevin Patra reported Thursday that Watson was asked what kind of reaction he expects Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. His answer was direct: “I don’t care,” he said. “I don’t care.” The timing makes the comment harder to ignore. Watson is fighting Shedeur Sanders for Cleveland’s starting job while returning to the same home crowd that booed him before his Achilles injury in 2024.Why could Deshaun Watson face a hostile Browns crowd on Saturday?Watson’s relationship with Cleveland fans was strained before the Achilles injury ended his 2024 season.He was booed during pregame introductions before the Oct. 20 game in which he got hurt. Some fans also cheered after Watson went down, prompting criticism from his Browns teammates.Saturday will put Watson back in front of that crowd after roughly 22 months away from a home game. He enters the night with more at stake than a preseason stat line.Cleveland acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in 2022 for a package that included three first-round picks. He has started 19 games for the Browns, going 9-10 with 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.Now he is trying to win the starting job under first-year head coach Todd Monken. The crowd cannot decide Cleveland’s QB1. Watson made clear he will not let it dictate his approach.“The biggest thing I'm proud of is my mental. Being able to block out the noise, be able to keep smiling through everything and being able to control my own narrative,” Watson said.That mindset gets an immediate test Saturday. Cleveland fans have already shown they are willing to voice their frustration with Watson. His “I don’t care” answer gives them another moment to react to when he enters the game.Can Deshaun Watson hold off Shedeur Sanders in the Browns’ QB race?The more important question for Cleveland is what Watson does once the ball is snapped.He started the Browns’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 15 and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or interception. He lost a fumble on a strip-sack.The passing chart told a clearer story. According to Next Gen Stats, all 11 of Watson’s completions came within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. Three were behind the line. He attempted one pass of at least 10 yards and none beyond 20.Monken praised parts of Watson’s performance, and Patra reported Thursday that the veteran appeared to hold the lead in the competition entering the Buffalo game.Sanders now gets his turn to start.The Browns announced on Aug. 12 that Sanders would open the second preseason game against Buffalo after Watson started against Chicago. NFL.com reported Watson is expected to enter in the third quarter.That setup gives Cleveland another direct comparison between the two quarterbacks. Sanders completed six of 11 passes for 79 yards against Chicago and threw one interception. Watson moved the offense on two scoring drives. Cleveland still needs to see whether he can threaten defenses beyond the short passing game.Watson knows what is being decided.“I just want to prove I'm capable of being the starter,” Watson said.He added that the front office and Monken will make the final call while he focuses on the reps he receives.Saturday gives Watson two challenges at once. He has to keep his place in the quarterback race while walking back into a stadium where his reception is uncertain.Sanders gets the start. Watson gets another audition. And for the first time since Oct. 20, 2024, Browns fans get their chance to tell Watson exactly how they feel.