Deshaun Watson’s emotional postgame comments will not influence the Cleveland Browns’ looming quarterback decision, per head coach Todd Monken.
Monken backed Watson on Sunday, characterizing his frustration as the reaction of a player who desperately wanted to perform well after nearly two years away from the field.
“My reaction was that it was a young man who has worked very hard to get back where he is now,” Monken said. “And he wants to — in the worst way — play winning football for the Browns organization and the fans. It didn’t go as we had hoped, or he did, I’m sure.
“We have to be a little bit careful about judging someone right after going out there to play, feeling like he’s put in the work and not performing as well as he would have wanted. We all want to be appreciated. He spoke from the heart. And I don’t blame someone who speaks from the heart.”
Monken said he expects to name the Browns’ starting quarterback on Monday.
Deshaun Watson Unsure How He Will Handle Browns Fans
Watson struggled during Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards. He was greeted by loud boos throughout his first appearance at Huntington Bank Field since tearing his Achilles in October 2024.
Watson said afterward that the hostile reception had little to do with football, calling the treatment personal and disrespectful. He repeatedly answered “I don’t know” when asked how he planned to handle what he described as potentially playing “17 road games.”
His comments underscored how fractured his relationship with Cleveland’s fan base has become.
Monken pushed back on that interpretation. He said the version of Watson who appeared discouraged during the press conference did not match the player he has observed throughout the offseason.
“I don’t see that every day,” Monken said. “I see a young man who has confidence, and he wanted to perform in the worst way at a high level.”
However, Monken said he also understands the frustration of the fans.
“The business we are in is a performance-based business. It is what it is. When we expect a service, we’re going to be disappointed when we don’t get that service. I get it. That’s why we’re paid what we are — to perform at a high level,” Monken said. “We run to this smoke. This is the job we’ve chosen, so this is part of it.”
Browns Will Base QB Decision on Winning
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson could still start Week 1.
Monken is not looking ahead to how Watson might be received when Cleveland plays its first regular-season home game in Week 3. His immediate focus is determining whether Watson or Sanders gives the Browns the best chance to win their season opener against Jacksonville.
“I’m not concerned about the first home game,” Monken said. “I’m concerned about who will give us the best chance to win the first week. We’ll get to that when we get to it.”
Sanders strengthened his case against Buffalo, completing 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The interception came on a defelected pass over the middle.
Monken has stressed that the decision will be based on the entirety of the competition, including training camp, joint practices and preseason action. Watson’s postgame frustration may have added another layer to the situation, but the Browns are not treating it as a disqualifying moment — at least with their public comments.
However, at this point, Cleveland has to weigh the decision very carefully, considering the effects on the locker room as a whole.
Browns Send Clear Message to Deshaun Watson After Meltdown