Why Todd Monken is Sticking With Deshaun Watson as Browns QB1

Back like he never left, Deshaun Watson will be under center for the Cleveland Browns when they host the Houston Texans in Week 10. 

Reports this week had already suggested that Watson would be taking back the QB1 role after missing Week 9 due to a concussion that left him missing most of the practice preparation before playing the New Orleans Saints. 

Wednesday's return to the practice field for a new week allowed head coach Todd Monken to confirm the decision. His reason for sticking with the QB he originally named the starter, was in the tape from his first eight starts of the season. 

"Ultimately the full body of work," said Monken of his decision. "I mean the previous eight games that we had played, 'Shaun played pretty well. And that was my intention. I just wanted to make sure we'd run it by the staff before I said it publicly. I don't even know why I have to say it publicly because it's really only our business in terms of who's going to play and who's not going to play. But he played well enough to still be our starter." 

Monken had caused a stir earlier in the week when he decided not to name a starter during his weekly day-after-the-game Zoom press conference. As he explained, he didn't want to speak out of turn until he had talked with his staff later that day. 

He also made it clear several days later that it wasn't about Sanders' play, after the 2025 fifth-round pick fell just short of pulling off a victory over the Saints. Sanders finished the game 19-of-31, for 297 yards and two touchdowns, leading a game-tying drive in the fourth quarter to force overtime and then answering a New Orleans touchdown in the extra period to give the Browns a chance to win on a two-point play. 

Unfortunately, the attempt fell short, and the Saints held on for a 23-22 win, dropping Cleveland to 5-4 on the season. It was a valiant effort and one that did give Monken and his staff something to discuss. 

"That's nothing to take away from Shedeur," said Monken. Because I thought for 10 weeks of really not taking any reps, I thought he did a really good job and there's a lot of room for improvement with both of them. We consider anything that's going to help us be better as a team coaching wise, schematic wise, and then personnel wise, you're always looking to upgrade your ability to move the ball, score points, stop the opponent, all of those things."

Still, Monken reiterated that his intention was always to go back to the quarterback he put his faith in from the start, Watson. 

That doesn't mean Sanders won't see the field again this season. With the Browns teetering on falling back to .500 football team if they lose to the Texans this weekend, Monken may be left reconsidering his quarterback situation again during a Week 11 bye. 

Monken's point on always considering what gives the team the best chance to win feels notable that there's no guarantee Watson is the starter the rest of the way, especially if the season goes south. 

When Watson was asked about retaining the job the rest of the way, he emphasized that it's ultimately a decision for Monken and "the front office" to make. For now, he just plans on showing up to practice ready to prepare for Week 10, and a game against the Texans that suddenly feels like an important inflection point in Cleveland's season.