Browns Make Deshaun Watson Decision That Could Define Todd Monken’s First Season

The Cleveland Browns are starting Deshaun Watson, a preseason decision that will define Todd Monken's first season as head coach.

Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Todd Monken has reportedly made his first big decision as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Browns informed the team on Monday morning that Deshaun Watson will start at quarterback for the Browns in 2026. While there hasn’t been an official announcement from the team, Watson will be starting at quarterback for the Browns in 2026. Schultz’s report indicates that Monken felt more comfortable with Watson’s veteran experience, but this was a close competition that came down to the end. 

“But it’s my understanding that he will have to continue earning it once the season starts and the games are for real,” Schultz reported.

Luckily for the Browns, this journey will begin on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If it were up to Watson, who just won Cleveland’s weighted quarterback competition, the Browns would rather play all of their games on the road to get away from the most passionate fanbase in the NFL. That’s what Watson said when he blasted Cleveland’s passionate and loyal fans, as the 30-year-old felt disrespected for getting showered with boo birds during an outing where he completed 5-of-12 passing and a 14.6 quarterback rating.

"It's a little bit more personal than that, so I think it's a disrespectful thing,” Watson said.

Why Watson starting will be so pivotal to Monken's first season

The newly-appointed face of the franchise (who shouldn’t be) has only played 19 games since the controversial trade that landed him in Cleveland back in 2022. There’s reason to believe the Browns will need to continue developing their backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who impressed in his preseason start against the Bills, which didn’t factor as much into this decision.

After Watson’s viral remarks, many wondered if the Browns would release the starting quarterback, who used his postseason media availability to challenge the fans.

But Watson’s devastating cap number prevents the Browns from doing so. Instead of stashing Watson on the roster, the Browns will give him the starting quarterback job, even though almost everything points to Sanders being the better option. 

This offseason, the Browns hired Monken and had another really impressive draft class. Then, they traded Myles Garrett and started Watson at quarterback, which is an indication that this franchise is still rebuilding, regardless of what they say publicly. 

Cleveland’s quarterback situation will undoubtedly take them to April’s 2027 NFL Draft, which is expected to have a loaded quarterback class featuring Texas’ Arch Manning.