Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken revealed that he harbored doubts about quarterback Deshaun Watson's mental readiness to start, particularly after a preseason game where Watson was booed by fans and subsequently made personal remarks to them.
In an interview with 92.3 The Fan, Monken candidly shared his concerns. "I mean, after that game — I’ll just say during the game and then after the game, certainly Deshaun was not in a great headspace. Let’s be real honest about it," Monken stated. He acknowledged that Watson expressed frustration over his performance and the team's coaching, stating, "He said it after the game; he was frustrated and didn’t particularly play well. And we didn’t coach well and call it well around him. So, we certainly all have to own that."
This admission follows Watson's own comments after the second preseason game, where he called the fan base disrespectful. Watson recounted an incident where he felt the same fans cheered when he suffered an Achilles injury on that field previously.
Despite these public exchanges and Watson's struggles, Monken described the situation as a "speed bump" rather than the norm, citing Watson's confidence and dedication over the previous five months. Monken also noted that Watson initiated a conversation after the game, questioning his own reaction.
"He and I had a good conversation, and he said, ‘I’m not sure I handled that the right way. But I did have things that were on my heart.’ And I asked him, I said, ‘Do you feel like you’ve gotten rid of it?’ Because it’s one thing to say it. It’s another thing to really believe it, that OK, I needed to get this off my chest; it’s over; I just want to go out there and play great football. I’ve worked awfully hard to get back," Monken explained.
Watson is heading into the final season of a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. During the first four seasons of this deal, he has played in only 19 games, with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His tenure with the Browns has been further complicated by multiple injuries, including an Achilles tendon re-rupture that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, and numerous civil sexual assault lawsuits.
Monken commented on the fans' perspective, suggesting their frustration stems from a desire for winning football. "The fans really just want hope. And Deshaun, over the years that he’s been here, has frustrated the fans and, certainly, himself in terms of wanting to play better for the Cleveland fans and the organization," he said.
The Browns are scheduled to begin their season in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, entering the game as significant underdogs.