BEREA — The facts are indisputable to Browns coach Todd Monken.
An offense must be explosive to be elite. The quarterback is critical to making that happen.
“I’m confident in Deshaun and our ability to push the ball down the field,” Monken said Tuesday. “Otherwise we wouldn’t be starting him.”
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Watson’s recent history generates skepticism.
His yards per attempt and per completion have cratered since he arrived in Cleveland in 2022. In his final year playing in Houston in 2020, he led the NFL in passing yards (4,823), yards per attempt (8.9) and yards per completion (12.6). In his most recent regular season with the Browns in 2024, coming off serious right shoulder surgery, he was at 5.3 and 8.4 — career lows.
Monken refuses to get bogged down by the past.
“I really, to be honest, haven’t looked at it. Only from afar,” he said. “I want to go into it thinking every player we have is elite, and all they have to do is prove me right.
“Different staff, different system. We’ll let it play out. We’ll see where it goes starting a week from now.”
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The opener is Sept. 13 in Jacksonville. Watson will be playing in a regular-season game for the first time since his Achilles ruptured in October 2024, and Monken — an NFL head coach for the first time at 60 years old — has entrusted his offense and team to him.
“I really kind of wanted a clean slate,” Monken said. “Because even though I said I really didn’t watch it, you’ve watched it from afar, and you’re not deaf to the noise, obviously what you hear. But you try to tune that out and try to focus on what you see every day and what the player brings every day, and for that player to feel your belief in them, which is ultimately what our job is.
“Just like it would be with our kids. A father or a grandfather or a mother’s belief in their children or your players helps carry them a long way. We believe in you. I’ve got you. That is a verbal contract that I make. I have your back.”
Monken couldn’t avoid hearing the noise Aug. 22 during the preseason game against the Bills. The home crowd repeatedly booed Watson, who responded by ripping the fans for their treatment.
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The hatred for Watson didn’t keep Monken from naming him the starter two days later. And Monken insisted he’s not bothered by many fans loudly criticizing the decision.
“Absolutely not. Would I prefer that we would all be on the same page? Yeah, but that has nothing to do with my decision, and it can never have anything to do with my decision,” he said. “My decision has got to be about what’s best for the Browns in Week 1 and all the way through the season, and as long as I’m the head coach here.”
Browns coach Todd Monken said he would prefer if fans agreed with his decision to start QB Deshaun Watson but it “absolutely” can’t be a factor in his thinking. pic.twitter.com/PfTDdefGz7
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Watson’s throwing improved after a terrible start to training camp, but questions remain about his accuracy and ability to consistently connect on downfield throws. In limited preseason action his longest completion went for 43 yards, but it was a screen to running back Dylan Sampson. He also had a 20-yarder to receiver Malachi Corley.
“That’s something I’ve always been pretty good at, especially in the past,” Watson said earlier in camp about the deep ball. “But that’s something I definitely want to continue to work on, and when those opportunities come, take advantage of it.”
He said the arm wasn’t fully healthy when he returned in 2024 after the shoulder surgery but noted it’s back to 100 percent.
“I’ve known that,” he said. “I think it’s you guys in the media that talk about that. I think everyone in this building knows that I’m pretty healthy and strong.”
Monken realizes he’s not breaking new ground when he emphasizes the necessity of explosive plays. His predecessor, Kevin Stefanski, said the same thing but struggled to make it happen the last two years when the Browns ranked 32nd and 31st in scoring.
Browns coach Todd Monken on importance of explosive plays on offense and confidence Deshaun Watson can bring them. pic.twitter.com/R57dLkUXoG
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“You’re not going to be elite on offense and score points if you can’t create explosives,” Monken said. “It’s so hard to drive the football the length of the field without an explosive.
“Obviously having explosive players helps that. Being able to scheme it up against certain looks and then being able to execute because your protection has to hold up when you get those opportunities.”
As important as the quarterback is, he can’t create the big plays by himself.
“It always starts upfront, and our ability to be physical and then let the shiny part of our offense go to work,” Monken said. “But without that, the engine, it just sits in the driveway looking shiny as he**. They’ve got to be driving it, and the rest of it looks pretty driving down the street with the top down and the windows down and, he**, you’re really rolling.”
The Browns’ only move at quarterback in the offseason was drafting project Taylen Green in the sixth round. The resources were used to improve the line and the receivers. Monken was adamant when he arrived an upgrade was needed at wideout, and KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston were drafted in the first two rounds.
“The market has changed in terms of how important having skill guys on the perimeter that allow you to dictate or at least try to dictate what you see from the other side, and those guys have been as advertised,” Monken said. “I’m really excited. From the moment they got here, all they’ve done is work and continue to get better.”
As Monken envisions what Watson and the offense will look like against the Jaguars, he sees plenty of options to make a big play.
“I think Harold Fannin can be explosive, either with his route running or running people over,” he said. “We’ve seen Q (Quinshon Judkins) be explosive, we’ve seen Dylan Sampson be explosive. I’ve seen No. 1 (Concepcion) and I’ve seen 12 (Boston) be explosive. I’ve seen Jerry Jeudy at his best and Isaiah Bond be explosive.
“The future is really bright, and they’re only going to continue to get better because they’re wired the right way. The way they go about it every day. And then we’ve got to build a system, starting with the offensive linemen, and let those guys shine.”
