NFL insider dropped a key Cleveland Browns’ QB update on Deshaun Watson’s acclimation with Todd Monken as head coach
A very important mandatory minicamp is upcoming for the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback battle. NFL insider Jeremy Fowler dropped a key update on where Deshaun Watson stands.
The Cleveland Browns will hold their mandatory minicamp June 9-11 and it’ll be an important few days for the starting quarterback competition. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that the Browns will have a starting QB named after OTAs.
Cleveland has Deshaun Watson around for 2026, then his career is up in the air where he’ll be playing. Shedeur Sanders is his biggest threat for the job with Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green rounding out the room. There hasn’t been a lot of time for the new coaching staff to work on the field with the entire team, so OTAs will be very key.
The latest update on Browns QB Deshaun Watson is more fuel to the fire of where this is going
Watson getting to come back from injury to work with a new coaching staff in Cleveland with Monken replacing Kevin Stefanski was big for him. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler delivered a promising update on how Watson and Monken are working together.
“I’m told he’s hit it off with Todd Monken, who’s got an offensive concept, some elements that Watson has run in the past and been his best at,” Fowler said recently on SportsCenter.
Health has been Watson’s biggest issue in Cleveland. Over four seasons with the Browns, Watson has played in just 19 total games, and he’s never played more than seven in a season. Between the initial 12-game suspension, shoulder injury, and Achilles injury, it’s been a real problem for Watson to stay on the field for the Browns. Even when he has, the product hasn’t been close to good enough.
Watson is 9-10 as a starter in Cleveland including a 1-6 record in 2024 before the Achilles injury happened. The veteran quarterback was 5-1 in 2023 when he looked the best he has with the Browns, but even then wasn’t good enough with 1,115 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Monken and the Browns have to go with whoever gives them the best chance to win in 2026. If Watson is the guy it’s because the staff believes in his ability over the rest of the room. After going 5-12 last season, even with a new staff there’s pressure for this team to show some growth. The quarterback position will have the biggest impact on it happening.