Deshaun Watson is finally looking like the QB everyone expected, leading the Cleveland Browns to a surprising 3-1 start this season, a turnaround that has them alone in first place in the AFC North. After three frustrating, injury-riddled seasons, it felt like we might never see that early-career magic from his Houston days again. But Watson, who some Browns fans were booing just weeks ago after a rough Week 1 showing, has flipped the script completely.
Watson’s Stunning Turnaround from Heel to Hero
Seriously, it’s wild how fast things can change in the NFL. Just a few weeks back, after that tough opener at Jacksonville, Browns fans were apparently calling for Shedeur Sanders to take over. Fast forward, and Watson has delivered three straight victories, including two at home. Yeah, beating the Buccaneers and Panthers, two teams from the weak NFC South, probably didn’t set the world on fire. But then Thursday night happened.
Watson went head-to-head with Aaron Rodgers in prime time and absolutely outdueled him to knock off the hated rival Steelers. That game was worth every bit of attention it got. Watson was spectacular, going 24-of-33 passing for 268 yards, a touchdown, an interception, a 106.6 rating, and 7.7 yards per attempt. He helped the Browns jump out to a 21-10 halftime lead. Things got a little shaky in the second half, with Rodgers leading a big comeback to tie it at 24-24, but Watson responded when it mattered most, leading the game-winning field goal drive. His season rating is now a strong 101.2, and his yards per attempt improved to 7.4. Considering the Browns were only expected to win 5 or 6 games after going 5-12 last season, this stellar play from Watson is a total shocker. But honestly, the potential was always there.
Monken’s System and Draft Gold: The Real Keys
So, what changed? Well, it’s not just Watson suddenly remembering how to play football. First off, this dude is at unquestioned full health for the first time as a Brown, which is obviously massive. Beyond that, the biggest reason for his ‘face turn’ has to be head coach Todd Monken. Bringing Monken in to replace Kevin Stefanski, who was also an offensive-minded coach, got some mixed reactions. But Monken, finally leading an entire team at 60 years old, is showing everyone why he’s so highly regarded for working with QBs. This is the guy who helped Lamar Jackson win his second MVP in Baltimore, remember?
Monken is a master at adapting. He adjusted to Lamar’s dynamic dual-threat style with the Ravens, and he’s done something similar with Watson. He blends a powerful running game with an effective downfield passing attack. Watson isn’t some forced checkdown QB, he loves to use his legs to buy time outside the pocket and take shots downfield. He’s at his absolute best when he’s empowered to run whenever he sees an opening. It’s an immediate meshing of styles between coach and quarterback, something that just didn’t happen with Watson and Stefanski, even across multiple seasons. Watson is executing at a much higher level, clearly feeling a much higher level of comfort in this system.
And then there’s the draft. The Browns reportedly “smashed all their offensive NFL draft picks in 2026.” You don’t just stack up early draft selections without a plan, and it looks like their plan for offense is paying off big time.
The Browns are holding onto that first-place spot in the AFC North, and with Watson finally firing on all cylinders, it’s going to be fascinating to watch if he can keep this momentum going. This is the kind of early season performance that can completely reshape a team’s trajectory. What’s next for them? Just keeping that energy and execution rolling is going to be the biggest challenge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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