After Deshaun Watson went viral for calling Cleveland Browns fans “disrespectful” following boos in a preseason game, first-year head coach Todd Monken wasted no time addressing the firestorm. Monken opened up on 92.3 The Fan this Tuesday, pulling back the curtain on the candid talk he had with his quarterback, admitting Watson was in a rough spot after that game.
The QB’s ‘Not Great Headspace’ Confession
“I mean, after that game , I’ll just say during the game and then after the game, certainly Deshaun was not in a great headspace. Let’s be real honest about it,” Monken said, acknowledging Watson’s frustration and poor play. But here’s the kicker: Monken didn’t just point fingers. He owned a piece of it, too. “And we don’t coach well and call it well around him. So, we certainly all have to own that,” he added. That’s a huge dose of honesty from a head coach, admitting the team’s struggles extend beyond just the player. Monken even questioned Watson’s confidence initially, but the 30-year-old quarterback quickly reassured him this wasn’t the norm. Watson called the whole incident “a speed bump” and “a blip on the radar” compared to his work ethic over the past five months. He even approached Monken, saying, “I’m not sure I handled that the right way. But I did have things that were on my heart.” Monken pushed him, asking if he’d truly “gotten rid of it,” because belief has to follow the words.
Full Support Before Sunday’s Opener
Monken is now confident Watson has moved past the whole thing, making it clear the franchise has his back. “The only way you’re going to get the best out of your players is to have a verbal contract that says, I’ve got your back. I’ve got your back, I’ve got you,” Monken stated. That’s a huge vote of confidence for Watson, who just got named the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders for Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Monken was clear: fan opinion didn’t factor into the QB decision. He gets the frustration, though. He described it as “hate and hope,” noting fans just want to win and see a great product. Watson has frustrated the fanbase with his play, and Monken wants to change that, starting this week.
This Sunday, all eyes will be on Watson as he takes the field. Can he shake off that “blip on the radar” and give those passionate Cleveland fans the hope Monken is talking about?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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