New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken wasn’t anybody’s first choice to be Kevin Stefanski’s successor, but if he can get this offense turned around, those doubters will turn to supporters quickly. He has a long history of leading great offenses, and though he may not have a ton to work with just yet, he is more than qualified for this job and everyone needs to be patient.
Of course, it all starts and ends with the quarterback on offense, and it’s unclear who Cleveland’s QB1 is going to be in Week 1. For the first few months of the offseason, Shedeur Sanders appeared to be the leader in the clubhouse, but some recent turns of events indicate that the Browns may go back to Deshaun Watson.
Everyone is still coming to terms with the development, as we all thought Watson was done after he tore his Achilles a second time and owner Jimmy Haslam called the whole situation a swing and a miss. During a recent episode of The Top Dawgs Show, former Browns player Josh Cribbs said he believes Monken is the one who can help Watson get back to what he used to be.
“When people ask me about Todd Monken, I met him. That changed my perspective of him being a coach. As of now, people are counting Deshaun [Watson] out. They’re like, ‘There’s no way possible.’ There’s a way it’s possible,” Cribbs said.
Can Deshaun Watson start and succeed this season? Cribbs has faith in Todd Monken’s system.
“There’s a way it’s possible.”
– @JoshCribbs16 pic.twitter.com/kBD5eCJRSD
— The Top Dawgs Show (@TopDawgShow) April 1, 2026
Watson hasn’t shown Browns fans even a glimpse of the guy he used to be with the Houston Texans, but perhaps a year off is what he needed. However, he is somehow still only 30 and if this coaching staff isn’t sold on Shedeur Sanders and thinks he needs more time to develop, Watson is the only other option at the moment.
Watson is already working out with Jerry Jeudy this offseason, which is another indicator that the starting job could be his once again. Jeudy’s production cratered last season while catching passes from three different quarterbacks, so the hope would be that he could get on the same page with Watson and Sanders to get back to being the QB1 this roster desperately needs.
If Watson starts and doesn’t work out, at least the Browns will know with 100 percent conviction that they can move on.
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Browns Duo Quietly Making Moves Before Offseason Begins