Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken
Tony Grossi Reveals Browns' Biggest Surprise as Todd Monken Gets Deshaun Watson's Headspace Right 1
Deshaun Watson looked like a quarterback the Cleveland Browns might struggle to trust a month ago. Now, the conversation around him has changed quickly.
Watson has helped the Browns win three straight games after the Browns dropped their opener, and Tony Grossi believes that the biggest surprise has not simply been the QBs play. The Browns’ head coach, Todd Monken, has the ability to get Watson in a better place and pull enough out of him to keep the Browns winning.
Todd Monken Has Changed the Conversation Around Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken call a play during the second half against the Tampa Bay BuccaneersCleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken call a play during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Grossi pointed to the relationship between the Browns’ coach and quarterback as the biggest surprise of the Browns’ season so far. His assessment came after Watson looked particularly rough during the preseason, including in the game against the Buffalo Bills, which raised serious questions about whether he should start.
“The biggest surprise is that Todd Monken has been able to coax decent quarterback play out of Watson after he looked to be fried following the Buffalo preseason experience. Monken has been an effective psychologist in helping Watson to get his headspace right.”
Tony Grossi reveals the Browns' biggest surprise this season, crediting Todd Monken for getting Deshaun Watson's headspace right and coaxing solid quarterback play out of him.
"The biggest surprise is that Todd Monken has been able to coax decent quarterback play out of Watson… pic.twitter.com/qMYpGNFMGI
— BrownsNation.com (@BrownsNationcom) October 5, 2026
That support has mattered because Watson did not suddenly become flawless. He still made mistakes, including an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers; however, the Browns have repeatedly found a way to win with him at quarterback.
The Browns lost their opener 34-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since then, Watson has been part of three consecutive victories, and each one has featured a late scoring drive that decided the game.
Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, Watson connected with Blake Whiteheart for the go-ahead touchdown in a 23-19 win. A week later, he found Harold Fannin Jr. for the deciding touchdown in Cleveland’s 21-18 victory over Carolina.
The Browns led the Steelers 21-10 at halftime before Aaron Rodgers helped the Steelers make things uncomfortable late. Watson threw an interception during Pittsburgh’s comeback; however, the Browns still managed to put together the late possession it needed and set up Andre Szmyt for the winning field goal in a 27-24 victory.
The Browns’ decision to stick with him was hardly guaranteed after the Bills’ performance. The home crowd had booed the signal-caller, and his response afterward only added to the tension. Monken nevertheless stayed with his quarterback, giving him the opportunity to settle into the offense.
That decision is looking considerably better now that the Browns are 3-1. However, the bigger point is that Monken has helped create a situation where Watson does not have to play a perfect game for the Browns to win.
That may be the most important change. The Browns are not asking Watson to carry everything. They are finding ways to put him in manageable situations, and when the game gets tight, he has delivered enough to give the Browns a chance. For a quarterback who looked close to being written off only weeks ago, that is a significant turnaround.