Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken expressed a lack of immediate commitment to quarterback Deshaun Watson following a challenging Week 1 performance that ended in a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Watson, returning from a torn Achilles suffered in 2024, struggled in his first game back. He threw an interception on the Browns' opening possession and the team trailed 31-0 before scoring their only touchdown late in the third quarter. Watson finished the game completing 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, with 38 rushing yards, and was sacked five times. This performance marked Watson's 20th game played since 2020, a period during which he made his most recent Pro Bowl appearance.
In 2024, Watson's record as a starter was 1-6, and the Browns' offense ranked last in the league. Despite his struggles and the significant investment made in his contract, which remains the largest guaranteed deal in NFL history at $230 million, Watson retained the starting job over second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The team's quarterback depth, which also includes rookie Taylen Green and second-year player Dillon Gabriel, is cited as a factor in Watson continuing under center.
Monken stated his immediate focus was on reviewing the game tape before making further assessments. "I haven’t had time to even look at the tape," Monken said post-game. "It wasn’t all him. It really wasn’t all him. That’s unfair. Certainly could have called it better, certainly could have played better around him."
The Browns are scheduled to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week as underdogs, followed by their home opener against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.