Report: Deshaun Watson Has 'Hit It Off' With New Browns Head Coach Todd Monken

Deshaun Watson has reportedly established a strong working relationship with Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken, reinforcing his status as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, Watson emerged as the Browns’ QB1 favorite after their voluntary minicamp, despite posting a 33.1 Total QBR—the lowest among qualified passers—since joining the team in 2022. Watson has played just 19 games for Cleveland due to suspensions and injuries, recording 3,365 passing yards and 19 touchdowns while throwing 12 interceptions. Over his NFL career, he has 17,904 passing yards and 123 touchdowns after being selected 12th overall in the 2017 draft. The Browns restructured his contract in March, reducing his 2026 cap hit from $80.7 million to $44.9 million, freeing up nearly $36 million in cap space. Monken praised Watson’s performance during the minicamp, stating his ball movement and accuracy were strong. The Browns, who finished 5-12 last season, used three quarterbacks—Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders—after Watson’s Achilles injury. Unless Watson underperforms in preseason, he is expected to start the 2026 campaign against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 2026 season marks the final guaranteed year of Watson’s five-year, $230 million deal, signed upon his trade from the Houston Texans. Monken replaces fired head coach Kevin Stefanski, who joined the Atlanta Falcons. Watson, who has avoided media since his injury, reportedly holds no ill will toward the Browns organization.