Analyst Says The Real Pressure Sunday Is Not On Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are in a tough spot heading into a difficult Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They need a win in the worst way, as does quarterback Deshaun Watson, who could be playing for his career on Sunday.

If Watson falters one more time, that could be it for him not only in Cleveland, but in the NFL altogether. It would be tough to imagine another team giving him a shot given how poorly he has played and all the baggage he comes with, yet despite all of that, one analyst believes there is more pressure on somebody else.

During a recent episode of Afternoon Drive, Nick Wilson stated that there is more pressure on head coach Todd Monken than on Watson.

“This game, to me, means more to Monken than it does to Watson. I don’t know what Watson can tangibly lose other than his starting job, and he might welcome that at this point. With Todd Monken, I honestly don’t think he realizes what he’s doing,” said Wilson.

"This game, to me, means more to Monken than it does to Watson. I don't know what Watson can tangibly lose other than his starting job, and he might welcome that at this point. With Todd Monken, I honestly don't think he realizes what he's doing."

🚨 @NickWilsonSays to… pic.twitter.com/pHBWNr2Jc4

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 18, 2026

There is a sentiment that Monken is going to be a sacrificial lamb and a one-and-done head coach in Cleveland, but it’s too early to put much stock in that belief. Watson already got paid and it’s not a foregone conclusion that he even loves football anymore. Wilson is right in pointing out that Watson might actually prefer to be benched and/or cut at this point, but Monken does have more on the line.

It took him until age 60 to get his first head coaching job and if he is one and done here, that’s probably it for him as a head coach. That being said, pressure might not be the right word for his situation because he might be the only one left who still believes that the Browns can be good, so if it doesn’t happen, the only one who will believe he didn’t meet expectations will be Monken himself.

There is a lot riding on Sunday’s game. We’ll find out what Watson is made of with his career potentially on the line, and for Monken, it would be nice to see him get his first win.