Todd Monken has been emphatic in his public backing of Deshaun Watson as the quarterback works his way back to form, delivering blunt encouragement and steady faith in the veteran’s process.
Monken’s public confidence
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Todd Monken said he has “a huge belief in all of our players, especially Deshaun,” and framed that conviction around what he has seen from Watson in practice and preparation. Monken pointed to Watson’s work during a lengthy absence, asking rhetorically, “What have you worked for 22 months to come back?” and praising the preparation that went into his return.
Monken’s comments were explicit about the nature of that commitment: he said he was happy for Watson and praised the work he put in. The coach added that he wants his players to trust their preparation and play freely.
Performance, patience and a push to play freely
Through two games, Deshaun Watson has completed 40 of 52 passes for 443 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and he has added 60 rushing yards. Those numbers reflect both volatility and upside: he struggled in a 34-10 loss to Jacksonville before delivering a substantially stronger outing against Tampa Bay.
Yardbarker projects Watson has shown flashes of improvement but cautions the return hasn’t been completely smooth, adding that some of his play still looks cautious after a near 22-month absence. That caution is precisely what Monken has publicly urged the quarterback to shed.
Monken has pressed a simple message: trust your preparation and stop worrying about what can go wrong. “What have you worked for 22 months to come back? To play and give yourself a chance to play at a high level. What do you have to fear?” Monken said, according to Yardbarker, and the coach has encouraged Watson to “let it rip” and play more freely.
Monken framed his support as both pragmatic and personal. He praised Watson’s daily grind and emphasized that confidence will follow performance, not precede it. That blend of public endorsement and a push toward aggressive play is the central pillar of Monken’s approach as Watson tries to reestablish consistency.
As Watson’s early-season tape continues to accumulate, Monken’s message is clear: the preparation is complete, the belief is in place, and now the next step is to translate it onto the field without hesitation.
