The Cleveland Browns are heading into another offseason of transition, and this time, it starts at the top. With a new head coach in town, the franchise is effectively hitting the reset button - and that means every quarterback on the roster is getting a fresh evaluation. Yes, that includes Deshaun Watson.
Watson’s name still carries weight, even if his on-field production in Cleveland hasn’t lived up to the blockbuster deal that brought him over from Houston. That trade, which once looked like a bold move to secure a franchise QB, now looms large as one of the most controversial in recent memory. But with a new offensive mind in charge, the Browns might be giving Watson one more shot to prove he can still be that guy.
Enter Todd Monken. The former Ravens offensive coordinator is known for building systems that lean into the strengths of mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks. According to team insider Mary Kay Cabot, Monken sees a potential fit in Watson - or at least the version of him that once lit up defenses in Houston.
“(Monken) knows what Deshaun Watson is capable of when healthy. He's all about the mobile dual-threat QB,” Cabot said during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan.
“Can Deshaun even run anymore like that? We don't know, but he will have a chance to show what he can do.”
That’s the big question: can Watson still move like he used to? Before the injuries, before the off-field controversies, Watson was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league - a true dual-threat who could extend plays, attack downfield, and leave defenders grasping at air.
But that version hasn’t shown up in Cleveland. Whether it’s rust, injuries, or just a bad fit, Watson hasn’t looked like himself since arriving in Northeast Ohio.
Still, when you look at the Browns’ quarterback room, Watson remains the most talented option available. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement - it’s more of a reflection of where things stand with the roster. General manager Andrew Berry could explore trade options, but with limited draft capital and other roster needs, that’s easier said than done.
Watson’s last full season in Houston was nothing short of spectacular - he put up MVP-level numbers despite a crumbling supporting cast. But since then, the numbers have fallen off a cliff.
His time in Cleveland has been marred by poor performances, injuries, and the lingering shadow of his off-field legal issues. Even team owner Jimmy Haslam has admitted publicly that the trade might have been a mistake.
And it’s not just the front office that’s cooled on him. When Watson went down with a season-ending injury, some Browns fans actually cheered. That moment said a lot about where the relationship between quarterback and city currently stands.
But here’s the thing: Watson still has time. His contract runs through the end of the 2026 season, and Monken’s arrival gives him a rare chance to hit the reset button. If Monken can tap into even a fraction of what he unlocked with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore - a system tailored to movement, improvisation, and quick decision-making - then maybe, just maybe, Watson can find his footing again.
There’s no guarantee it works. There’s no guarantee he even wins the starting job.
But for now, he’s got a clean slate and a coach who, at least on paper, runs an offense that fits his skill set. And in a league where second chances are rare and third chances even rarer, that’s more than most quarterbacks in his position can ask for.