Deshaun Watson is gearing up for the Cleveland Browns’ home opener against the Panthers this Sunday, and he’s totally expecting a different reception than the boos that slammed him during a preseason game last month. That August moment? Watson called it “disrespectful” and “personal” at the time.
The Preseason Unpleasantness
It wasn’t long ago that Watson heard it loud and clear from his own home crowd during a preseason game. The boos rained down, and he didn’t hold back his feelings afterward, saying the fan reaction was “disrespectful” and “personal.” Talk about a rough welcome to the home field! It definitely set a tense tone for what was to come, with everyone wondering how that relationship would evolve.
From Boos to “Great Energy”
But hey, things change fast in the NFL. Since that preseason moment, Watson has officially been named the Browns’ starting quarterback. And get this: he just led the team to a big Week 2 win in Tampa, delivering what’s being called one of his best games since he joined Cleveland. That performance secured his spot in the lineup for this weekend’s home opener against the Panthers. Now, Watson says “we’re past” the August unpleasantness. He feels there’s “great energy” around the team right now, and he fully expects that to carry over when they hit the field. “I don’t ever try to go to war with the fans,” Watson said, clearly looking to turn a new page. He added that he’s “ready for support, ready to feel their energy, ready to get this big [win] for the city of Cleveland and continue this great feeling we have this week.” His motto is all about forward momentum: “just keep pushing forward and finding ways to win on Sunday. Take advantage of the opposing team and get a W.”
So, this Sunday against the Panthers, it’s not just about a win for Cleveland, is it? It’s about Watson and the fans finally getting on the same page. Will that Week 2 win be enough to truly flip the script and bring the energy he’s craving? We’ll find out when the Browns take the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply