Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken recently made the decision many expected, but few were excited about when he named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback. Shedeur Sanders put up a fight over the entirety of the offseason, but at the end of the day, Watson’s experience won out.
Some are skeptical that this decision came from above Monken’s head, but the deed is done and it’s full steam ahead for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be Watson’s first regular-season action in nearly two years and will be an immediate test to determine if he can still be the guy.
ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi isn’t sure he can be and recently stopped by The Herd to speak with Colin Cowherd about his doubts. He questioned Watson’s mental toughness following a couple of rough media sessions and believes he hasn’t shown the ability to overcome the public backlash he has been facing.
“He gets booed stepping on the field for the first time, proceeds to play poorly, and unloads on the fans… He didn’t show he had the mental toughness, at least that night, to overcome it,” said Grossi.
"He gets booed stepping on the field for the first time, proceeds to play poorly, and unloads on the fans… He didn't show he had the mental toughness, at least that night, to overcome it."@colincowherd & @TonyGrossi on Deshaun Watson being named Browns starting QB pic.twitter.com/arel61qhpL
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 26, 2026
Ahead of the second preseason game, Watson was adamant that he didn’t care if the fans booed him in Cleveland. After the game, he appeared to very much care as he lamented the fact that he was so poorly received and later had to apologize and say he got caught up in his emotions.
If he was unable to stomach some preseason boos in the third quarter of a half-full stadium, how is he going to react if he brings an 0-2 team back to Cleveland for Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers? The pressure on him is immense and he isn’t going to receive any benefit of the doubt if he gets off to a slow start.
There are pieces in place for this to be a good team. The offensive line is brand new, the defense is returning nearly everyone aside from Myles Garrett, and there are new weapons all over the place on offense. It all now falls on the shoulders of the $230 million quarterback with dozens of questions related to his health, character, and overall ability to play QB anymore.
Will he crash and burn? Only time will tell.
NEXT: National Analyst Delivers Harsh Reality Check To Deshaun Watson
