Deshaun Watson
Browns' Todd Monken Reveals Odd Move Involving Deshaun Watson Before Week 1 Jaguars Game 1
The Cleveland Browns are taking a different route when it comes to naming team captains.
Ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Cleveland head coach revealed that the Browns will pick a different captain every week, unlike most other teams that have already appointed players who will serve as captains for the entire campaign.
“I think we have a fairly young team, and I’m not ready to name guys that are permanent for us,” Monken told reporters on Monday (via Kelsey Russo of Cleveland’s official site).
“I do think it’s cool for players to go out for the coin toss. I think it’s really cool. I think we have, and I think most teams have more leaders than just four or five guys, I just believe that. I believe that with each game you reward guys for the week that they’ve had, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Browns Name Deshaun Watson, Four Others as Week 1 Captains
Cleveland Browns Deshaun WatsonCleveland Browns Deshaun Watson
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson hands off to running back Quinshon Judkins as teammates Dylan Sampson (22) and Shedeur Sanders (2) watch on the first day of minicamp in Berea, June 9, 2026.
Watson beat Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback duties, but he’s only seemingly guaranteed the role for at least the Week 1 Jaguars game.
Perhaps Cleveland just wants to avoid the awkward situation where Watson gets named a captain for the rest of the season, then gets replaced under center by Sanders.
Apart from Watson, the other Browns captains heading into Week 1 are cornerback Tyson Campbell, defensive tackle Mason Graham, guard Zion Johnson, and long snapper Rex Sunahara.
In any case, Cleveland will be aiming for a big start to the campaign against a Jacksonville team that won 13 games in 2025 and made the playoffs.
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesJun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland quarterback Watson (4) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images