The Cleveland Browns are finally playing a home game this season, and it comes against the Carolina Panthers. That will mark the first home game since Deshaun Watson was named the starting quarterback.
Although fans expressed frustration when Watson was named the QB1, the veteran signal-caller had a message for the fans.
Watson said he doesn’t want to “go to war” with the fans, and instead hopes for positive vibes for the game on Sunday.
Deshaun Watson doesn’t want to be at war with #Browns fans and hope there’s positive energy vs the #Panthers on Sunday: pic.twitter.com/Zt8TqJRreJ
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 23, 2026
Watson was booed during the preseason, and he said it was “disrespectful” to hear that from the crowd. He then appeared to apologize, saying he understands the frustration.
“I thought I was going to get a little different response. But, my emotions got the best of me,” Watson said. “My comments weren’t intended to go at the fans. I understand the frustration.”
Still, fans questioned Todd Monken’s decision to roll with Watson as the QB1. He had an up-and-down Week 1 in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Watson responded with 238 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Week 2 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Right now, Watson is trying to put everything behind him and focus on playing well in Week 3 against the Panthers. If he doesn’t play well, there could be a change coming at the QB position very soon in Cleveland.
