Todd Monken 'absolutely not' bothered by Watson QB1 backlash
Todd Monken is absolutely not bothered by Cleveland Browns fans’ negative reaction to naming Deshaun Watson QB1 over Shedeur Sanders. The head coach said fan wishes got zero consideration, insisting the call must only serve what’s best for the Browns through the season.
The stance, detailed by Cleveland.com, puts football judgment ahead of public pressure as the 2026 season nears. For more odd NFL storylines, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man hub.
Key Takeaways
- Todd Monken said he is “absolutely not” bothered by fans rejecting Watson as QB1 over Sanders.
- He gave “zero consideration” to fan wishes when naming his starter.
- Monken has largely skipped Watson’s past film, favoring a clean-slate look at what he sees daily.
- Road openers in Jacksonville and Tampa delay a return to a hostile home crowd.
Why did Todd Monken stick with Deshaun Watson as QB1?
Monken named Watson the starter last month after the veteran led the competition early through mastery of the scheme. He told reporters the choice cannot hinge on public opinion.
“Would I prefer that we would all be on the same page? Yeah, but that has nothing to do with my decision, and it can never have anything to do with my decision,” Monken said Tuesday. “My decision has got to be about what’s best for the Browns in week one and all the way through the season, and as long as I’m the head coach here.”
How bad was the Browns fans’ reaction?
Backlash included social media outcry, fans driving past CrossCountry Mortgage Campus and yelling from their cars, and signs posted on the Jim Brown statue at Huntington Bank Field. Monken said he is not oblivious—he was at the stadium for the Bills game—but he still backs Watson.
After that loss, Watson criticized fans for booing him and said he was unsure he could overcome them. Monken defended him then, noting Watson’s long rehab path and saying pros must “pull your big boy pants up” and play. On Tuesday he framed belief in a starter as a verbal team contract: focus on what the player brings every day and make him feel “I’ve got you.”
Is Todd Monken ignoring Deshaun Watson’s past tape?
Yes—by design. Asked about studying Watson’s earlier seasons, Monken said he had not really looked at it, only from afar on crossover film. He prefers face value: treat every roster player as elite and let them prove him right under a different staff and system, NBC Sports reported.
That clean-slate approach fits Monken’s first year in Cleveland as an NFL head coach. Watson is set to start when the Browns open at Jacksonville, then visit Tampa—two road games that spare the pair an early hostile home crowd while the debate over Watson versus Sanders keeps simmering.