Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson defended his performance ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pushing back against media expectations after a 34-10 season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Todd Monken confirmed Watson will retain the starting role.
Browns sticking with Deshaun Watson as starting QB for
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is shouldering heavy scrutiny as the team prepares for a Week 2 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who played for the Browns for four seasons after being the first overall pick in 2018. Following a 34-10 season-opening defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, questions surrounding Watson’s effectiveness have dominated discussion in Cleveland. The opening contest marked Watson’s first regular-season appearance in 693 days, following an Achilles tear in October 2024 and a re-tear in January 2025 that sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign. Despite struggling against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason, the 31-year-old Watson beat out Shedeur Sanders in training camp for the Browns’ top quarterback role.
Deshaun Watson Pushes Back Against Expectations
During his Wednesday press conference, Watson dismissed external criticism regarding his output on the field, addressing expectations set by reporters and analysts following his return to action.
“I think the media has this expectation that I’m supposed to throw 400 yards and five touchdowns every week. Until that happens, I guess it’s going to be the same situation. Again, my job is to make sure I’m playing well so that we can get a win and keep moving forward.”
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns quarterback
Deshaun Watson: The media thinks I'm supposed to throw
Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception in the Week 1 loss. Reflecting on the game tape, Watson maintained that his execution was largely sound outside of a few specific plays. According to the quarterback, his assessment of the film showed him finding completions, operating well while noting just a handful of negative plays, including a sack-fumble that had to be protected though the team recovered it, two missed throws, a throwaway, and a tipped ball ending in a turnover, along with an interception and no red zone opportunities to get points.
Todd Monken Confirms Starter Status Ahead of Week 2
Despite a sluggish offensive outing where the Browns managed only 75 yards in the first half and fell behind 24-0 before the entire second half was basically garbage time, head coach Todd Monken defended his quarterback and confirmed he will remain under center. The 31-year-old quarterback had thrown a rookie-level interception on the opening drive, conducted an offense that couldn’t get in and out of the huddle cleanly, had far too many mental miscues, struggled with pressure, and barely threatened the Jaguars defense.
“It confirmed it when I looked at the tape. We’ve got to play better around him, we’ve got to call it better, and he’s got to play better. Our inability to function consistently as an offense was a byproduct of ‘we,’ coaching and playing.”
Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns head coach
Watson rips media for expecting him to throw '400
Monken highlighted that the entire team must play better and stated that it would be “unfair” to blame the veteran signal-caller for the offensive struggles, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Monken reiterated his backing when speaking to reporters regarding whether Watson needed to prove himself to keep the job ahead of the team’s home opener on September 27 against the Carolina Panthers.
“I always expect our players to play well. I wouldn’t put him out there if I didn’t.”
Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns head coach
Monken made these remarks per Justin Cooper of ESPN, while Watson’s comments were given per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Offensive Struggles and Fan Reception in Cleveland
While coaching staff members emphasize collective responsibility for the team’s offensive woes, external pressure remains high. Watson faced vocal hostility from local supporters during the preseason, where he was vociferously booed by Cleveland fans. The reality for the team’s new coach is that Cleveland fans won’t be a welcoming hoard for Watson in Week 3, and he is destined to hear louder boos than those that got under his skin in the preseason, building on tension that persisted through training camp where Watson won the starting job over Shedeur Sanders.
Analysts highlight that Watson has not yet thrown for even 300 yards since joining the franchise. With a 9-11 record as Cleveland’s starter following his initial stint where he spent the first four years of his career with the Houston Texans, the veteran signal-caller looks to find offensive rhythm against Tampa Bay before returning to face Carolina.
Worth a look
