Deshaun Watson has admitted he cried on the field after hearing the Cleveland Browns fans chant his name... weeks after the scandalized quarterback was booed off under a cloud of controversy.

Many had predicted that Watson's time as QB1 in Cleveland was coming to an end after he was ruthlessly booed off in preseason, leading to him calling them out for the 'disrespectful' reaction.

Watson has a complicated relationship with Cleveland fans because of a multitude of injuries, off-field issues - including an NFL suspension in 2022 - and a massive, $230 million contract.

On Sunday, though, all appeared to be well after a comeback victory against the Carolina Panthers, and Watson said of the reaction: 'It's amazing. It's great. I just wanted to finish the job for them. 

'So yeah, there was one moment I got a little teary-eyed. You know, just feeling that energy. I put so much work to get back here. To be in this moment here, to be able to show that I can finish these drives, finish these games, and get W's for the city, for this organization.

'This is where all the hard work and all the the belief, the prayers, everything that I put myself through the last 22 months to be able to stand in front of the crowd on that field, to finish the job, and I want to keep improving, keep trying to get better each and every day, each week, and we got a big one Thursday.'

Prior to the start of the 2026 regular season, Watson had started just 19 games since the Browns acquired him in a blockbuster trade from Houston four years ago and signed him to a fully guaranteed contract. They traded three first-round draft picks for the three-time Pro Bowl pick, who came to Cleveland embroiled in controversy.

He served an 11-game league suspension in his first season after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions. He also paid a $5 million fine and completed a treatment program.

Watson struggled with rustiness upon his return and was just beginning to play like a Pro Bowl QB again when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and had surgery. This season, he's coming back from twice rupturing his Achilles tendon.

When Watson first injured his Achilles tendon in 2024 in a home game against Cincinnati, some fans cheered. He hasn't forgotten that and hit out at fans after a preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills in August.

'Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles and that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt,' Watson said. 'So what does that have to do with anything about performance? When a person gets hurt, especially for your own city and they cheer.'

Shedeur Sanders is waiting in the wings for his chance to become QB1, but it now appears he may have to wait a little longer after Watson took the team to a 2-1 record.

Cleveland lost in Week 1 against Jacksonville, with Watson throwing an interception on his first drive, but he has since bounced back in style.

In Week 2, the Browns won on the road at Tampa Bay, and Sunday saw a 21-18 home opener victory over Carolina.

On Thursday night, Watson will again play in front of his own fans as the Browns host Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.