Browns' Todd Monken addresses Deshaun Watson's job security, shares Baker Mayfield revelation

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson curiously suggested that "expectations" shared by media members are why his grip on the club's QB1 job is in question ahead of Cleveland's Week 2 game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this coming Sunday. 

Later on Wednesday, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken addressed whether or not Watson has to play "well" against the Buccaneers to get the start for Cleveland's home opener, a Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers, on Sept. 27.

Todd Monken expects Deshaun Watson to "play really well" against Buccaneers

"I always expect our players to play well," Monken responded, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I wouldn't put them out there if I didn't. So, I expect him to play really well. And there were moments last Sunday that he did." 

One of those moments involved Watson throwing a 46-yard touchdown pass when the Browns were trailing the Jaguars 34-3 with under two minutes remaining in the contest. Before that, he passed for just 100 yards with an interception through the game's first three quarters. 

Monken offered his comments after a Wednesday report hinted that he could turn to second-year pro Shedeur Sanders either during or after the game at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium. Noticeably, Monken danced around making any real long-term commitment to Watson during his answer. 

"I don't get too far ahead," Monken continued during his comments. "Because really, what matters most is that we have a great Wednesday. And that's what I can control."

Todd Monken reveals surprise Baker Mayfield revelation 

Another storyline hovering over this Week 2 clash involves Buccaneers starting quarterback Baker Mayfield likely wanting to get some revenge on the team that replaced him with Watson in March 2022. When Mayfield signed his first contract with the Buccaneers in March 2023, Monken was serving as the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. 

On Wednesday, Monken revealed that people associated with the Ravens thought Mayfield would ultimately sign with Baltimore following the 2022 season to serve as a backup for Lamar Jackson. 

"The Bucs signed him, and the good Lord put that in place for him, and he is taking advantage of that," Monken added about Mayfield. 

Monken also said he was "fired up" about possibly working with Mayfield again. Monken was Mayfield's offensive coordinator with the Browns during the 2019 campaign. 

Mayfield's camp and the Buccaneers agreed to a three-year extension reportedly worth $165M earlier in September, and he will now look to beat the franchise that once made him feel "like a piece of dirty laundry." As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Browns as 8.5-point road underdogs against the Buccaneers.