Browns HC Todd Monken Saw 'Really Good Things' From Deshaun Watson vs Jaguars

The Cleveland Browns fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, with the team not being able to do much of anything in the contest.

From the opening kickoff, the Jaguars were able to dominate the Browns, killing all optimism from the offseason. While this was just one game for Cleveland, the more pressing part of the loss was the play by quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson, who was making his NFL return following a brutal Achilles tear, looked lost on the field for the Browns. Overall, the veteran signal-caller threw for 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

But Watson didn't have control of the game at all, with the Jaguars defense picking him apart throughout. Naming Watson the starter caused some backlash for Browns head coach Todd Monken, for multiple reasons, including some off-the-field incidents.

However, with Watson playing so poorly in Week 1, questions have now come up about how long it will take for him to be benched. But Monken has pushed back on this idea, even going so far as to say that Watson had some good things on film.

These comments from Monken could be more to protect his player following a tough game. But Monken has been consistent in his message that Watson is the starter for the Browns this season.

After the game, Monken also wouldn't put the blame on Watson, saying it was a team effort. While the head coach isn't technically wrong, Watson's play was a big reason why Cleveland dropped the game.

"It wasn't all him," Monken said. "It really wasn't all him. That's unfair. Certainly could have called it better, certainly could have played better around him. Certainly there's plays I'm sure he wished he had back. There are certain things operationally that weren't clean enough. Us getting in and out of the huddle, getting our subs in, being up against it and saying that you're on the road or the heat or all that, that's just a bunch of excuses."

Watson has seen success in the NFL before, but his time with the Browns has been tough to watch. Cleveland fans want him benched, but Monken is going to do what he believes is best for the team.

The Browns will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road in Week 2. If Watson can't put it together against Tampa Bay, more questions will continue to build up for Monken around him.