As it turns out, head coach Todd Monken wasn’t the one who made the decision on who starts for the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns, once again, showed why they are the laughing stock of the NFL when they named Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not only has Watson struggled throughout training camp and the preseason, he also called out Browns fans for booing him.
“I took in the whole body of work over the course of offseason to training camp to games, the joint practice and ultimately felt like, to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points,” Monken told reporters. “That’s really what it’s about. I felt that way going into the last game but wasn’t sure. After we talked as a staff and after we re-looked at everything, we’re gonna go in that direction.”
According to former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, the front office in Cleveland wanted Monken to start Watson due to his salary. The franchise signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.
This report from Griffin has not been confirmed nor denied by another NFL insider.
During this week’s press conference, Monken said Watson’s job status wouldn’t be a “week-to-week” issue with Shedeur Sanders lurking in the wings.
“I think Shedeur has done a great job, come a long ways, and we’re excited about his future,” Monken said. “But this is not a week-to-week decision.”
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. If he gets the chance to start this fall, the Browns will need him to be a bit more careful with the football.
