Deshaun Watson powered the Browns to a 23-19 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday, delivering one of his best games since that trade. This was a statement game, and head coach Todd Monken wasted no time calling Watson the club’s offensive player of the game in his Monday video conference. You gotta love seeing that kind of support after a big win.
Todd Monken Saw The Difference From Week 1 to Week 2
Monken was clearly fired up, telling reporters, “I was happy for Deshaun.” He pointed out how Watson “made a number of plays with his legs,” playing “with confidence” and really letting it rip. Monken definitely saw a major step forward, highlighting the “difference from Week 1 to Week 2.” He even suggested they’re “just going to grow together,” which sounds like a vote of confidence. Watson finished Sunday’s matchup going 24-of-30 for 238 yards, slinging a pair of touchdowns and adding 22 yards on the ground. Those are some serious numbers, the kind that make you think the QB controversy might finally be over.
The Implication Was Clear: Shedeur Sanders Looms
But here’s the kicker: even after a performance like that, the quarterback questions are still hanging heavy. Leading up to the Tampa Bay game, there were actual reports that the Browns were going to evaluate their QB play. The implication was crystal clear: Cleveland could easily turn to Shedeur Sanders if things didn’t pan out. So while Watson played well, it’s pretty wild that Monken’s confidence and those stats aren’t enough to shut down the noise. The team knows it too, as it’s going to take more good performances for the questions about who will start at quarterback to actually stop. Watson will be the starting quarterback for the Browns’ home opener against Carolina on Sunday. Can he keep the momentum going and finally silence the doubters, or will the whispers about Sanders get louder? This next game is absolutely massive for him.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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