Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken announced on Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson will be the team’s starter in Week 1 on the road against the Jaguars.
Watson, whom the Browns acquired from the Texans and signed to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in 2022, beat out second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to win the starting job.
“Deshaun (Watson) is going to start against Jacksonville,” Monken said. “Took in the full body of work over the course of the offseason, to training camp, to the games, the joint practice, and ultimately felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points. I mean, that’s really what it’s about. And felt that way going into the last game but wasn’t sure. And after we talked as a staff and after we relooked at everything, we’re going to go in that direction.”
On Saturday, in the team’s preseason loss to the Bills in Cleveland, Watson, who settled more than 20 civil lawsuits related to sexual misconduct, was booed by the home fans. After the game, he called their issues with him “personal.” That led many to believe that Sanders, who got the start and played well on Saturday, might get the starting job.
Fans clearly aren’t fond of Watson, but according to Monken, that doesn’t determine who starts for the Browns.
“Absolutely not, zero,” Monken said. “There was nothing to do with that. Ultimately, the fans want us to win. Ultimately, to put a good product on the field. That’s really what they want. And that’s our job as coaches, why we’re hired — to try to put the best product on the field. And when we don’t, then I understand their frustration. But ultimately, they don’t decide who plays. I mean, who would I be if I let someone outside of the building decide who plays?”
On Monday, Watson explained Saturday’s press conference and why he reacted the way he did.
“First off, I want to address the comments from Saturday after the game,” Watson said. “I think just human nature and myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back, spend time in this facility, in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community, I thought I was going to get a little different response. But I think my emotions got the best of me, and my comments weren’t intended to go at any of the fans around the city, because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. And I know the frustration this organization has put a lot of investment into getting me back in ’22, and things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it would. A lot of injuries, a lot of time off, and not putting my best football and my best foot forward. So, again, I understand the frustration; I understand everything that goes into that. Moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that I’m putting the best product out there, having the best ability because I thrive off the energy. I thrive off the energy of the fans, I thrive off the energy of the community, I thrive off all that stuff.”
Watson gives the Browns the best chance to win. At this stage, he’s better than Sanders. Plus, he’ll open the season with two straight road games, temporarily limiting his exposure to Cleveland’s frustrated fans. Additionally, the Browns still owe him a significant amount of guaranteed money, making it difficult to release him and pretty much makes him untradeable.
It hasn’t been pretty for Watson during his time in Cleveland. He has battled several injuries, including two Achilles tears. Watson is 9-10 as the Browns’ starter, which isn’t disastrous, but he hasn’t resembled the quarterback who produced big numbers with the Texans.
At 30, he still has a chance to turn things around.
If Watson plays well and puts up big numbers, winning could quiet some of the criticism. If he struggles, however, the boos in Cleveland will only grow louder.
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