Browns Coach Todd Monken Discusses Deshaun Watson's Future as QB Amid Shedeur Sanders Speculation
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Todd Monken and the Cleveland Browns are coming off a 23-19 victory over Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield passed for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the matchup, with Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving finishing with a game-high 89 rushing yards.
With Cleveland tallying only 44 total rushing yards the entire game, quarterback Deshaun Watson was asked to carry the load, completing 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Denzel Boston ended with a game-high 95 receiving yards to go along with a touchdown, while rookie K.C. Concepcion hauled in a game-high six receptions. Tampa Bay falls to 0-2, while Cleveland advances to 1-1 on the season.
Heading into the Browns’ Week 3 opener, head coach Monken has a decision to make on whether to stay with Watson as the starter or bring in second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. In speaking with the media on Monday, Monken let the football world in on his inner thoughts on his current starting quarterback.
Monken started by joking that he loves dealing with the question every week, that he expects consistent improvement from the 31-year-old and that Monken believes there is a lot of football left in the former No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Monken continued by saying he has extended grace to the Gainesville High School graduate, wants to see consistency in his movement, and that he still views Watson as a young player.
“Do I love dealing with it every week?” Monken said. “Of course not. You guys keep asking, which is a lot of fun. The reality is, of course, and I am happy for Deshaun, the way he’s played. And I expected improvement, and I expect continued improvement. There’s a lot of football left in him. He just hasn’t played in a while.”
“Learning our system,” Monken continued. “Trying to get him consistent with his drops and his reads is part of the process. I see him as a young player, and I know people don’t want to see it that way, and I haven’t been here, but I still see him as a very young player who is going to continue to grow.”
Browns coach Todd Monken said he believes there’s a lot of football left in Deshaun Watson.
And “of course” he would like a QB to solidify himself so he isn’t asked who’s the starter every week. pic.twitter.com/AzVTCJudsD— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) September 21, 2026
Cleveland will host the Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field for its 2026 NFL regular-season home opener on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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