Browns coach Todd Monken surely knows which quarterback he’ll name as the team’s starter on Monday. Given the extent to which he downplayed Deshaun Watson’s jarring postgame remarks from Saturday about being booed loudly by the home crowd, it’s hard not to wonder whether it will indeed be Watson.
Based on Monken’s belief that quality play will quickly unruffle feathers, it’s possible that Monken is inclined to give Watson the first two games, both on the road at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, to see if Watson can pull off an upset or two.
If the Browns somehow start 2-0, the vibe could be much different when the Browns open their home schedule in Week 3 against the Panthers.
However it goes, it seems clear that Monken won’t be making a 17-game decision right out of the gates. The man who wins the job as of Week 1 also wins the privilege of being the first guy benched.
Monken has said the announcement is coming on Monday. Which means he knows. And when he begins telling others, it will be just a matter of time until someone blabs — and everyone knows.
If nothing else, look for the Browns to curry favor with an insider or two by leaking it minutes before the official announcement is made. And with Monken due to speak to reporters again at 12:50 p.m. ET on Monday, expect to hear something late in the morning.
If we don’t hear something tonight.