Full Breakdown
Browns Coach Todd Monken Defends Deshaun Watson After Week 1 Loss
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Browns Lose 34-10 to Jaguars in Season Opener
Cleveland’s season began with a 34-10 defeat to Jacksonville. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, making his first regular-season start in 693 days, threw an interception on the opening drive and was sacked five times. He finished 16-for-22 for 205 yards, one touchdown and one pick. The Jaguars built a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back.
Data & Statistics
- Passing: 16 completions on 22 attempts, 205 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Pass rush: 5 sacks taken by Watson
- Final score: Jacksonville 34, Cleveland 10
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Todd Monken emphasized that the loss cannot be pinned solely on Watson. He said the team will “analyze everything that we do” and that blaming the quarterback alone would be “unfair.” He declined to guarantee Watson’s start in Week 2, stating he had not yet reviewed the game tape and that the staff would “evaluate everything.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “So we're going to analyze everything of how we do it, how we coached, starting with me, how we do it offensively, defensively, and Deshaun is a part of that. Always has been, always will be…and then we'll assess it and go forward,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “And until I really get a chance to watch it and really drill down, it's unfair for me to really comment on any one given player because it's never as bad as you think,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “It wasn’t all him. It really wasn’t all him,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “We’ll analyze everything that we do. It’s not just him,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “I'd rather just talk about today, because I haven't had time to even look at the tape,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “I didn’t take this job to lose,” — Todd Monken, head coach
What’s Next
The Browns travel to Tampa Bay for a Week 2 matchup against the Buccaneers. While Watson remains listed as the starter, the coaching staff’s pending film review could influence the quarterback decision before the team’s first home game in Week 3.