James Harden Hypes Up Deshaun Watson After Browns’ Win Over Panthers

Deshaun Watson silenced his critics by winning a home game for the Browns in 2026.

James Harden Hypes Up Deshaun Watson After Browns’ Win Over Panthers

Deshaun Watson and James Harden inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Deshaun Watson got a shout-out from James Harden. The Cleveland Cavaliers star was in attendance for the Cleveland Browns’ home opener against the Carolina Panthers.

All eyes were at Huntington Field for Sunday’s kickoff. The media eagerly waited to see what kind of welcome Watson would receive. Watson didn’t play a perfect game, but he threw two touchdown passes, both to second-year receiver Harold Fanning Jr., as the Browns secured a fourth-quarter victory.

After the game, reporters caught James Harden on his way out of the stadium. Harden looked at the camera and shouted, “Deshaun Watson baby,” and exited the premises.

The Browns are now 2-1 for the first time since 2023, with wins over the Buccaneers and the Panthers. Their only loss occurred on opening day on the road to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Deshaun Watson gives his honest opinion on the Browns fans

Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been a disaster. The Browns traded multiple first-round draft picks and personal to the Texans to acquire the Pro Bowler in 2022 and signed him to a record-setting guaranteed contract. However, off-field scandal and injuries kept him out of football for a very long time. He missed more than 40 games since switching teams.

James Harden Hypes Up Deshaun Watson After Browns' Win Over Panthers
Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)

Fans rightfully haven’t been too pleased with the way the Watson trade has played out. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders emerged as a possible alternative to Watson. The veteran struggled to impress in the preseason, which ticked off the fanbase. He was booed mercilessly in the second friendly at home. Watson verbally retaliated. He claimed to have received better support during away games than in Cleveland.

Despite the apparent feud between Watson and the Browns’ fanbase, head coach Todd Monken picked the 31-year-old as the starter over Sanders. The Browns played the first two games in Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, so Watson didn’t face much hostility. The win against the Buccaneers helped.

However, the atmosphere for the Brown first home game was projected to be different. The game was a snooze-fest during the first three quarters. It came alive in the final ten minutes. Bryce Young gave the Panthers the lead around the four-minute mark.

Watson orchestrated an 8-play, 55-yard drive to find Fannin inside the goal for a touchdown. The next two plays were turnover downs, and in the second final drive, Young threw an interception, which killed their momentum. Cleveland celebrated a 21-18 victory by cheering for their QB1, Deshaun Watson.

It was amazing. I just wanted to finish the job for them. There was one moment where I got a little teary-eyed, feeling that energy. I’ve put in so much work to get here, to be in this moment here and to be able to show I can finish these drives, and finish these games to get W’s for this city and this organization.

Deshun Watson said via Browns analyst Fred Greetham

Watson completed a little over 50% of his passes for 144 yards and threw a couple of touchdowns. Fannin caught 7 passes for 51 yards and 2 TDs. Second-year running back Quinshon Judkins rushed 18 times for 70 yards. Defensive tackle Mason Graham made 7 tackles and 2 sacks, while Ronnie Hickman caught the interception from Young.

The Browns stay in Cleveland for their next game. They host rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in their third game.

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