Browns Coach Todd Monken Praises Deshaun Watson Ahead of Long-Awaited Return

Todd Monken revealed veteran Deshaun Watson is ready to assume QB1 duties for the Browns on opening night.

Browns Coach Todd Monken Praises Deshaun Watson Ahead of Long-Awaited Return

Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)

Deshaun Watson is set to start his first NFL game for the Cleveland Browns in nearly two years against the Jacksonville Jaguars on opening day. Watson edged out Shedeur Sanders to secure the starter’s role.

The Browns wanted Sanders to start. But head coach Todd Monken picked Watson. Since the announcement, Monken noticed Watson performed better in training.

Watching him get all the reps the last couple of weeks and getting more and more comfortable, how it helped Shedeur (Sanders) in terms of his development by splitting the reps and having a competition, you can see the opposite of that. He got a lot more of the reps, and you could see him getting more and more comfortable with the concepts, obviously putting the game plan in early and getting him comfortable. But I really like where he’s at.

Todd Monken said as per Browns transcript

Watson last played regular-season football in week 7 of the 2024 season. He left the game after suffering a non-contact injury. A day later, the Browns confirmed that Watson had suffered an ACL tear. He was placed on season-ending IR.

He was expected to return to football in 2025. However, suffered a second ACL injury while vacationing with his wife. Watson missed the entire year.

Rookie Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel filled in for the Browns. Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, earned plaudits from the fans for his impressive performances in limited reps. Fans expected Sanders to start in year two until Watson announced his return.

Per reports, neither had an edge over the other throughout camp. Both started the Browns’ first two preseason games. Watson went 11 of 15 for 126 yards in the opening fixture, but threw just 5 for 36 yards and an interception in the second fixture. The 30-year-old signal caller was booed the entire time he was on the field. After the game, he called out the fans for disrespecting him.

Despite the apparent rift between Watson and the Browns faithful, Monken picked him over Sanders as his starter for the season’s opening fixture against the Jaguars. Watson later apologized for failing to control his emotions.

Watson and Sanders did not feature in the final preseason game against the New England Patriots. Dillon Gabriel started and completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rookie Taylen Green went 5 of 7 for 27 yards and rushed 8 times for 66 yards as the Browns recorded a double-digit victory over last season’s Super Bowl finalists.

The Browns are among the handful of teams to keep all four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Watson is the starter while Sanders will be on the bench. Gabriel and Green are part of the practice squad.

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Deshaun Watson must make a positive impression to keep hold of the starter’s role

Many believe that the Browns owners played a role in Watson earning the starter’s job. The Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his five-year contract worth $230 million, which he signed right after his infamous trade from the Texans.

Browns Coach Todd Monken Praises Deshaun Watson Ahead of Long-Awaited Return
Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)

Since the trade, Watson has missed more than 40 games and hasn’t played regular-season football for nearly two years. So, to get the best value from his contract, the Browns owners went with Watson as QB1.

The good news is, the Browns play their first two games away from Huntington Field, where he was mercilessly booed a few weeks ago. Only wins can save Watson’s job at this point. The Browns are not favored to win either of those fixtures. In week 3, the Browns return home to face the Carolina Panthers.

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