Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson bounced back from a subpar Week 1 performance to lead his team to a victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. Watson criticized Browns fans for booing him during the preseason but now, ahead of Cleveland's home opener in Week 3 versus the Carolina Panthers, the embattled signal-caller is changing his tone. "I never try to go at war with the fans, and the biggest thing is, just ready for support, ready to feel that energy, ready to get this big dub for the city of Cleveland and continue this great feeling we have this week," Watson said on Wednesday.
"That's my motto." The Browns were ripped for their decision to make the three-time Pro Bowler their starter leading into the campaign and following the 34-10 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, the negative feedback grew. Watson had a strong performance in Cleveland's Week 2 road upset against Tampa Bay though, going 24-for-30 with 238 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 121.9 passer rating. Both the passing yardage and passer rating were Watson's best numbers since Week 3 of the 2023 campaign.
Still, the 31-year-old likely hasn't won over most Browns fans with one good game and his future as Cleveland's starter remains murky at best. Watson hasn't made a regular season start at home since Week 7 of the 2024 campaign when he suffered a torn Achilles. If he struggles versus the Panthers on Sunday, fans will surely let him hear it again.
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