Deshaun Watson’s on-field redemption continued on Thursday night as, for the third successive game, he led a winning drive that enabled the Cleveland Browns to grind out a victory.
Watson was booed by disgruntled Browns fans in pre-season but he has played a major role in Cleveland’s first 3-1 start since 2021 and they now sit in top spot in the AFC North.
Four days after throwing for the winning score in the win over the Carolina Panthers, the 31-year-old led a drive that ended with Andre Szmyt landing a 56-yard field goal that gave the Browns a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It was electric. It was amazing,” Watson said. “From the time we came out pre-game, it was super dope to be called out, hear the crowd and feel the energy. From start to finish, the crowd was in it, the energy of the stadium, we fed off them.
“To get a big victory against a divisional rival on primetime, this [is] what you dream about. This is what you work for. These are the things that you put that grind in during the summertime and training camp for nights like this. It was amazing.”
Watson reputation remains tarnished following allegations
Watson still has plenty of work to do to rebuild his off-field image after a string of allegations regarding sexual misconduct that have dogged him for many years. He never faced criminal charges over the claims but the NFL suspended him for 11 games of the 2022 season after its own investigation.
That has inevitably led to a cool relationship with Browns fans but it seems he is now winning them over.
In four games this season, he has completed 69.6% of his passes for 855 yards and six touchdowns.
Coach Todd Monken added in remarks reported by ESPN: “I was in the coach’s office [before the game], and I was going over the call sheet with [Watson] again. And I said, ‘Isn’t this really cool? Like, you’re going to be introduced last, isn’t that really freaking cool?’ It was only seven weeks earlier [that Watson was booed in the preseason], and, right, it’s, ‘Where are we going to go from here, right? … Where are we going from here, where are you going, where are we going?’ So cool.”
Monken pleased with Browns’ response to Jags setback
Watson has been a key part of a Browns team that has responded superbly after being crushed 34-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
“That was a complete, maybe disaster is a little bit strong, but that’s a tough opening game in every phase, other than maybe kickoff return, maybe other than that. But the guys trusted the process,” Monken said.
“We got stung a little bit, and our guys responded to that. And, man, that locker room is fun, right there celebrating those guys. Big, big, big divisional win.”
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