An NFL head coach is supposed to show unwavering support for his quarterback, and Todd Monken at least has that part of his job down pat with the Cleveland Browns. But sometimes, you can lose your credibility by doing so.
Just five snaps into the Browns’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Deshaun Watson proved why he probably was the wrong choice over Shedeur Sanders. After opening the game with completions on his first two attempts, Watson threw an interception, and on the play it looked like he did not see a Jaguars linebacker between him and intended receiver Jerry Jeudy.
After the game, Monken defended Watson, saying he liked the way his quarterback “let that ball rip” and that “the defender made a great play on it.” The coach also absolved Watson overall, saying there were plenty of other people responsible for the ugly 34-10 loss, including himself.
Analyst Ken Carman is calling out Monken for his comments about Watson, saying they are more befitting of a youth football coach than someone leading an NFL team.
“We set a high bar around here, don’t we? Listen to [Todd Monken’s comments]. Is that not something you’d say to your quarterback in 6th grade? I’m dead serious. We’re all gonna have to deal with it for the rest of the season. I’m not surprised. It’s sinking in that you’re gonna feel like your intelligence is insulted because I’m not talking about an 11-year-old middle school quarterback, I’m talking about a 30-year-old man. This is just an abomination,” Carman said.
"Listen to that. It that not something you'd say to your QB in 6th grade? I'm serious. We're all gonna have to deal with it for the rest of the season. This is just an abomination."
🚨 @KenCarman to @SportsBoyTony on #Browns head coach Todd Monken's comments on Deshaun Watson's… pic.twitter.com/thcnHKHElX
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 14, 2026
As Carman acknowledged, none of this should be a surprise. From the day Monken was hired, he has left the door wide open for Watson to emerge as his starting quarterback, and he has made a very public case for that winding up as the result.
The latest example had been Monken officially announcing Watson as the starter just days after he enraged fans by calling them disrespectful for booing him during a preseason game. Monken then basically laughed off any suggestion he might have considered that backlash in making the highly unpopular decision.
Then, not only did Watson make an egregious play on Monken’s first series as an NFL head coach, but the 60-year-old defended him afterward. The only potential sliver of acquiescence came when Monken did not immediately say that Watson would remain the starter for Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But based on the way Monken has protected Watson so far, he seems likely to remain the Browns’ QB much longer than that.
NEXT: Analyst Unloads On Browns After 'Embarrassing' Week 1 Performance
