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Monken Defends Watson After Browns' Loss, Calls It 'Unfair' to Blame QB
Confirmed
In Short: Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken defended Deshaun Watson after the team's 34-10 loss, stating it was 'unfair' to blame the quarterback.
Watson's performance was underwhelming, completing 73% of his passes for 205 yards but also throwing a pick, fumbling, and taking five sacks. His first NFL action since the 2024 season saw him finish 16 of 22 for 205 yards and one touchdown, with one interception and one fumble, along with a team-high 38 rushing yards.
Monken's stance was noncommittal, stating, "It's hard to say that right now, because we didn't play very well, we really didn't," as he emphasized the need for the team to improve. However, not everyone was on board with Monken's defense. Many were still upset over Watson's controversial remarks, and former San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith criticized Watson's behavior.
The Browns' head coach acknowledged the need to evaluate everything before committing to Watson as the starter for Week 2. "The evaluation is as simple as this: Watson threw an interception on the Browns' opening drive and coughed up a fumble," noted CBS Sports. The Deshaun Watson experience in Cleveland might not last much longer, as his poor performance could lead to a quick reassessment of his role with the team.
In his first game back, Watson's performance was a stark reminder of the challenges he faces. Despite Monken's defense, the team's overall performance was subpar, leading to a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Browns will need to address their issues quickly if they hope to turn things around in the upcoming weeks.
What's confirmed
- "It wasn't all him, it really wasn't all him, I mean, that's unfair," Monken said after his head-coaching debut.
What's still developing
- Watson struggled from the start, with ball security issues and a lack of offensive control.
- Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson made his first game appearance since October of 2024, and it certainly looked like he hadn't played in nearly two years.
- Watson beat out Shedeur Sanders this offseason, and ultimately, the $230 million player earned the starting job.
- While Monken came to Watson's defense after the loss, it was not the strongest endorsement for Week 2 or beyond.
- Monken has since defended Watson’s remarks while the QB himself said he let his emotions simply get the best of him.
- However, not everyone had just moved on from what Watson said.
- Week 1 rolled along on Sunday with an unforgettable opener between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, an offensive showcase from the Chicago Bears and, on the not-so-positive end, a clunker from Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns.