- May 21, 2026
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When Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson played in a preseason game in Cleveland last month, he was heartily booed.
It clearly bothered him.
When head coach Todd Monken subsequently named Watson QB1 to start the season, fans found more ways to show their displeasure.
While Watson didn't play in the Browns' preseason finale last Thursday, he was on the sideline and spent most of his time with a towel over his head — perhaps trying to be as incognito as possible.
But does it bother Monken that Cleveland fans clearly have not wholly embraced his choice for starting quarterback?
"Absolutely not," Monken said in his Tuesday press conference, via transcript from the team. "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.
"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.”
To that end, Monken said he has confidence Watson will be able to push the ball down the field to create explosive plays.
“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. You can look at the studies in terms of percentage of scoring a touchdown or getting a field goal with one explosive in a drive. Obviously, that comes after you’ve gotten the first first down. Every coordinator is going to say we’re chasing explosives, and everyone runs with, 'Oh [you're] chasing explosives.' Well, no shit. Everyone’s chasing explosives and trying to not to turn it over. And that’s what you’re trying to do. What’s the defense trying to do? Turn you over and not allow explosives. That’s really the big chess match is that. The ways that you win.
"So, 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. I’m confident in Deshaun and our ability to push the ball down the field, otherwise we wouldn’t be starting him.”
It clearly bothered him.
When head coach Todd Monken subsequently named Watson QB1 to start the season, fans found more ways to show their displeasure.
While Watson didn't play in the Browns' preseason finale last Thursday, he was on the sideline and spent most of his time with a towel over his head — perhaps trying to be as incognito as possible.
But does it bother Monken that Cleveland fans clearly have not wholly embraced his choice for starting quarterback?
"Absolutely not," Monken said in his Tuesday press conference, via transcript from the team. "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.
"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.”
To that end, Monken said he has confidence Watson will be able to push the ball down the field to create explosive plays.
“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. You can look at the studies in terms of percentage of scoring a touchdown or getting a field goal with one explosive in a drive. Obviously, that comes after you’ve gotten the first first down. Every coordinator is going to say we’re chasing explosives, and everyone runs with, 'Oh [you're] chasing explosives.' Well, no shit. Everyone’s chasing explosives and trying to not to turn it over. And that’s what you’re trying to do. What’s the defense trying to do? Turn you over and not allow explosives. That’s really the big chess match is that. The ways that you win.
"So, 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. I’m confident in Deshaun and our ability to push the ball down the field, otherwise we wouldn’t be starting him.”