When Deshaun Watson last played in Cleveland during the preseason, he was met with boos from the home crowd. He later called the response “disrespectful” and “personal” in a postgame press conference.
Since that game, Watson has secured the starting quarterback role for the Browns and delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, leading the team to a victory over Tampa Bay in Week 2. The win locked him into the lineup for Sunday’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers, prompting a question about fan reception at a Wednesday press conference.
Watson indicated that the August controversy is behind them, citing a sense of “great energy” around the team that he expects to carry into this weekend’s game.
“I’m not looking to fight the fans,” Watson said on 92.3 The Fan. “I’m ready for their support, for their energy, and for delivering a big win for Cleveland. My motto is to keep pushing forward and find ways to win on Sunday—take advantage of the opponent and secure a victory.”
While the Week 2 triumph may have shifted the dynamic with Cleveland supporters, the overall disappointment surrounding Watson’s trade to the Browns means that a swift return to negativity is possible. The team and the quarterback would prefer a different outcome, but the reality is that rebuilding confidence will require more than a single win.
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