Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson
Like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns will have weekly captains, not season-long ones. Head coach Todd Monken has named QB Deshaun Watson a captain for the team’s opening game. Monken announced in his press conference yesterday that Watson, the Browns’ starting quarterback, was a Week 1 captain against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“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,” Monken said via the team’s YouTube channel.
In addition to Watson, CB Tyson Campbell, LS Rex Sunahara, OG Zion Johnson, and DT Mason Graham are captains.
It’s somewhat contradictory to name weekly captains to reward players for their work during the practice week, but name them on Monday before the team has most of its practices. Those five clearly impressed Monken during the preseason, earning the nod as Week 1 captains.
Watson missed all of last season with a torn Achilles. This offseason, he returned and won the starting quarterback job over Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. It’s not a huge surprise to see the starting quarterback named a captain, but it’s more noteworthy when it’s Watson. He received an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine before the 2022 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. His off-the-field actions don’t suggest he is a strong leader. He also sat out the 2021 season with the Houston Texans after requesting a trade.
But he’s a captain, which suggests he has the respect of his teammates and coaches. But there’s a legitimate question of how long he can hold onto the Browns’ QB1 job. When he played in 2024, he struggled, and his entire tenure with Cleveland hasn’t met expectations. But for now, he’ll represent the Browns as one of their leaders. He’ll try to help the team avoid another last-place finish in the AFC North as their starter at the most important position.