Todd Monken has his work cut out for him heading into his first season as the Cleveland Browns’ head coach. The offense was one of the league’s worst in 2025, and while they’ve made some additions over the past several months, there’s still work to be done and players to be added.
One of the biggest remaining question marks for the Browns is the quarterback position. Monken hasn’t made any decisions public, and at this point, it’s anyone’s best guess as to what he’s thinking.
Shedeur Sanders was the QB1 for the back half of the 2025 campaign, but he didn’t do enough to lock down the job for the foreseeable future. Many fans and analysts alike have suggested other options for the team to pursue, but there’s still one player on the roster that’s often forgotten in these conversations.
That player, of course, is Deshaun Watson, who, despite signing the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history, hasn’t come close to providing the value the team hoped he would. Watson missed the 2025 campaign due to injury, but according to recent videos and statements from coaches, including Monken himself, there’s a chance that he could be the team’s starting quarterback come Week 1.
“We’re excited to have him and see what he has. He’s a part of our roster. It’s our job as coaches to get the best out of him, why that isn’t obvious, I have no idea,” Monken said.
#Browns HC Todd Monken says he's only had one conversation with Deshaun Watson, but excited to see what he has.
Owner Jim Haslam said Deshaun Watson has a great chance for a fresh start with new coach Todd Monken.
"We’re excited to have him and see what he has. He’s a part of… pic.twitter.com/UQvfGeGNl7
— Ashly Holder (@AshNoelleTV) March 31, 2026
People can write Watson off due to his injuries and off-field issues, and there’s certainly merit to all of those concerns. However, because he didn’t play all of 2025 and is coming off an injury, there’s no telling what his condition will be like.
Monken is weighing all of his options heading into his first year with the team, and considering the Browns’ constant struggles at the position, it makes sense. Watson isn’t going to be given the job, and neither is Sanders or any other quarterbacks they might bring in over the coming weeks and months.
This seems to be a meritocracy under Monken, one that’s going to award the starting job to the player who deserves it the most and can help bring this team to the promised land.
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