The last time Deshaun Watson played quarterback so well in the NFL, he wasn’t in Cleveland. After three wasted injury-riddled seasons, it would be expected to write off Watson from ever reaching his early-career level of play in Houston.
But Watson, in professional wrestling parlance, has gone from a heel who gets booed by Browns fans at home to leading the team to a surprising 3-1 start to the season. The same fans who were calling for Shedeur Sanders after Week 1 are now believing Watson can keep delivering as a franchise QB.
After a rough opener at Jacksonville, Watson has led Cleveland to three consecutive victories, the last two at home, to put the team alone in first place in the AFC North to begin Week 4. Beating the Buccaneers and Panthers — two weak NFC South opponents — may not have inspired too much. But Watson outdueling Aaron Rodgers to knock off the hated rival Steelers in prime time on Thursday night is worthy of a lot more attention.
Watson (24-of-33 passing, 268 yards, TD, INT, 106.6 rating, 7.7 yards per attempt) was spectacular to help the Browns jump out to a 21-10 halftime lead. After a mostly rough second half, Watson rebounded to respond late to the Rodgers-led big comeback that tied it at 24-24 with a game-winning field-goal drive. For the season, Watson’s rating is a strong 101.2 and the YPA improved to 7.4.
For a team expected to win 5 or 6 games after going 5-12 last season, the stellar winning play of Watson might come as a shock. But in reality, there was some potential for this to happen, tied most to Watson executing like he did as the Texans‘ QB in 2020. Other than Watson being at unquestioned full health for the first time as a Brown, here’s explaining how his narrative has done a sharp 180:
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Todd Monken is the right offensive-minded head coach for Watson
Hiring Monken to replace also offensive-minded Kevin Stefanski was met with mixed reviews. Monken, finally getting hired to lead an entire team at 60, has shown why he has been so highly regarded working with QBs, including helping Lamar Jackson win his second MVP in Baltimore.
Monken did well to adjust to the dynamic dual-threat Jackson gave the Ravens, so the transition to Watson has been similar. Monken does a great job of blending the power running game with an effective downfield passing game.
Watson isn’t a forced-checkdown type of QB. He likes to use his legs to buy time outside the pocket to take shots downfield and is at his best when empowered to run whenever he sees a favorable opportunity to do so.
There’s an immediate meshing of styles with coach and quarterback that didn’t happen with Watson and Stefanski, even with multiple seasons. Watson is executing at a higher level to match a much higher level of comfort in a system.
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The Browns smashed all their offensive NFL draft picks in 2026
There’s little use in stockpiling several early draft selections unless those are used to take key contributors. Cleveland has gotten immediate impact from several rookies who were part of the team’s wholesale offensive changes. GM Andrew Berry and the scouting staff get to share the credit there with Monken.
Young star left tackle Spencer Fano was the No. 9 overall pick. Wide receivers KC Concepcion (No. 24) and Denzel Boston (No. 39) gave the team much-needed respective quick and speedy targets to help veteran Jerry Jeudy. Third-round pick Austin Barber has done well starting at guard next to former Texans right tackle Tytus Howard.
Watson and Boston have already developed a special chemistry, leading to a lot of big downfield connections early in the season. Watson was ordered to get Concepcion more involved in the open field and obliged right away against the Steelers.
There are still some kinks with Watson getting on the same page as his targets. The pass protection had a rough start, giving up five sacks against the Jaguars in Week 1, but has given up two each in the three games since.
Fano, Howard and Barber have helped ease the transition up front. Concepcion and Boston are living up to their big playmaking in college. The personnel also aligned well for Watson’s skill set and Monken’s scheme.
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The Browns’ key second-year players are finding their rookie form
Watson found tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for the game-winning touchdown with 1:48 left against the Panthers in Week 3. Before Watson delivered his second consecutive fourth-quarter comeback victory in Week 4, he hit Fannin in the end zone to build a 21-7 lead.
Running back Quinshon Judkins, also in Year 2 like Fannin, scored and had a good night, rushing 17 times for 53 yards and a TD with also six catches for 43 yards. Since producing only 50 and 48 scrimmage yards in the first two games, Judkins is up to 79 and 96 in the past two games. Watson stretching the field with Boston has helped open up room for Fannin and Judkins. With Fannin, Boston, Concepcion all worthy of clutch coverage attention by the Steelers, it was Watson working most to Jeudy with the game on the line during the sub-two-minute drill.
Overall, the Browns’ decision to reboot the past two years has given them a more reliable line and five players providing fine offensive skill support. No matter the sometimes ugly nature of the Panthers and Steelers games, the bottom line is Watson just did what the Browns wanted him to do at QB, putting them in position to win with the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter.
With the wins, the Watson jeers have flipped into cheers. There are some that will remain uncomfortable no matter what, thanks to off-the-field transgressions. On-the-field speaking, it’s difficult to slam Watson now. With at Jets, vs. Ravens and at Titans over the next three games, he has a fair chance to keep the Browns hot.
When adding it all up, the Browns have done well to get Watson off the mat and slam all the critics of his play in Cleveland.
