Browns coach Todd Monken explains decision to start QB Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken explains his decision to start QB Deshaun Watson in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sep. 13.
Video Transcript
How Deshaun is gonna start against Jacksonville took in the full body of work over the course of off season to training camp to the 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.
I mean, that's really what it's about.
And, felt that way going into last game, but wasn't sure and, and after we talked as a staff, and after we re-looked at everything, we're gonna go that direction.
So what, I guess what was keeping Shedeur from getting this job?
Did it come down to that operation?
Some of it was that.
There, there's a number of things I'm not gonna get into, but ultimately we felt over the course of training camp and, and the off season that he was ahead of Shedeur.
Shedeur's closed that gap, I mean, for sure, and that's a credit to him.
And, we look forward to, again, Shedeur continuing to grow as a player, but ultimately we're about week one.
That's all it's about is week one.
How much did you take into account the, the fact that the fan base, really is not in Deshaun's corner and that they seem to love Shedeur?
Did this come up in the discussions at all for you guys?
Absolutely not.
Zero.
There was nothing to do with that.
I mean, I mean, ultimately the fans want us to win.
I mean, ultimately and put a good product on the field.
That's really what they want, okay?
And so that's our job as coaches, why we're hired, to try and put the best product on the field.
And when we don't, then I understand their frustration, but ultimately they don't decide who plays.
I mean, who would I be if I let someone outside of the building decide who plays?
Todd, I know you said that, that the press conference from Saturday from Deshaun wasn't gonna factor into the decision, and I know you've talked about how important mental toughness is in quarterbacks.
So looking at the entire body of work, what makes you confident that he has that part of it for, for you guys right now?
Well, I said it yesterday, like, he bleeds like we bleed.
22 months of working to get back, you know, giving himself another opportunity, for the Browns, okay?
So that I respect.
And sure, was he hurt?
Yes.
But I also said yesterday, okay, I don't like being booed either.
I don't like when we jump offsides three times at the end of the game, okay?
But we earn that, right?
We earn our respect by how we play.
We earn our fans, right, in terms of appreciation of the product we put on the field, and that's our job.
So on one side, I 100%, understand where Deshaun is coming from, but ultimately we're pros.
I mean, we gotta put on a good product
