For the first time in history, Todd Monken, one of the NFL’s oldest head coaches, made the surprising decision to close out his debut season with one of the most troubled quarterbacks in recent memory. With the way Deshaun Watson has been playing so far, it couldn’t have worked out better for the Cleveland Browns.
While Watson still has his flaws, he has developed the game-winning scoring techniques in the fourth quarter to build a three-game winning streak. It put Cleveland in first place in the AFC North.
Heading into Week 5 against the New York Jets, insider Tony Grossi revealed the most impressive part of the Browns’ electric start, and that is the mutually beneficial relationship between the head coach and the quarterback.
“I have to say Monke’s ability to get the football from Deshaun Watson. It’s a credit to both of them, but I think they’re a tandem. I don’t think you can give them credit for working together,” Grossi said.
“Monke’s ability to get good footballs from Deshaun Watson” – @TonyGrossi has been the most impressive part of the Browns 3-1 start.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/kNJVmlnywV
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 9, 2026
After an embarrassing 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, Watson may have saved his job and in turn his career with a 23-19 comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. Then, facing the wrath of skeptical fans, they won another game in Week 3. A 21-18 win against the Carolina Panthers.
Watson then had his most impressive performance in years in a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. The Browns had 181 passing yards in the first half after building a big lead, then rallied and scored in the final minute.
The 31-year-old is also handling the ball, which is impressive considering he has been sidelined for almost two years due to multiple Achilles injuries. Some local analysts have Watson among the best QBs in the NFL this season, and while that may seem premature, it’s an indication of how much Watson has changed since his comments about fans booing him.
With a chance to go 4-1 for the second time since 1994, Monken and Watson could be on their way to giving the Browns their first division title since reinstatement to the NFL in 1999.
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