As one of the oldest first-time NFL head coaches in history, Todd Monken made the surprising decision to pin his debut season on one of the most troubled quarterbacks in recent memory. With the way Deshaun Watson has played so far, it couldn’t have worked any better for the Cleveland Browns.
Even though Watson still has his flaws, he has engineered game-winning fourth-quarter scoring drives to build a three-game winning streak. It has put Cleveland into first place in the AFC North.
Heading into their Week 5 game against the New York Jets, insider Tony Grossi revealed the most impressive part of the Browns’ electric start, and that is the mutually beneficial relationship between head coach and quarterback.
“I would have to say Monken’s ability to get good football out of Deshaun Watson. That’s a credit to both of them, but I think they are a tandem. I don’t think you can not credit both of them for the way they’re working together,” Grossi said.
"Monken's ability to get good football out of Deshaun Watson," – @TonyGrossi on what's been the most impressive part of the Browns 3-1 start.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/kNJVmlnywV
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 9, 2026
After an embarrassing 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, Watson may have saved his job, and in turn, his career, with a 23-19 comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. Then, facing the wrath of skeptical fans in the Week 3 home opener, Watson won at least some of them over with another late TD pass in a 21-18 victory against the Carolina Panthers.
Watson then turned in his most impressive performance in years in a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. He had 181 passing yards in the first half as the Browns built a big lead, then was able to regroup and lead a tie-breaking field-goal drive in the final minute.
The 31-year-old is also making plays running the ball, which is impressive considering he was sidelined for almost two years by multiple Achilles injuries. Some local analysts are placing Watson among the best QBs in the NFL this season, and while that seems to be very premature, it is an indicator of how much has changed since Watson’s preseason comments about the fans booing him.
With a chance to go 4-1 for just the second time since 1994, the unlikely pairing of Monken and Watson could be on their way to giving the Browns their first division title since being reinstated to the NFL in 1999.
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