QB Deshaun Watson (10.28.26)
What about the magnitude of this game, going into Pittsburgh, playing for first place, tied at 5-2, and just how big this is for you guys?
“It’s another opportunity for us to just go show what we’re capable of. Another opportunity for us to go out there and play and try to get a win for the city and showcase that we’re a team that can play in this league at the top level.”
You’re getting a rematch with division rivals so relatively close to the first matchup. What is it you’re looking for when you’re breaking down the film between the first matchup and this one?
“Just trying to find ways how we can be productive. Just find ways on how we can be successful on the offensive side so we can try to get as many points and yards as we possibly can, and whatever they’re doing different the last couple of weeks and try to feel out what things are still the same. So, a lot of film work and a lot of just time and task of putting it together.”
How do you throw a pass that helps a receiver get yards after the catch?
“Just being accurate as possible. That’s pretty much it.”
But for different routes, is there a certain place you have to put the ball?
“Depends on the defender, depends on the type of route. So, just ball location pretty much.”
Does it look like the Steelers are pressuring more from the interior from their linebacker position?
“We’ll see, man. I think they’ve been doing a good job the last three weeks getting these W’s and creating pressure in general and finding ways to win. Most definitely.”
The Browns haven’t won in Pittsburgh in a regular-season game since 2003, which is 23 years ago. Is that something you were aware of? How do you feel about that? Just what are your thoughts on it?
“Again, just another opportunity for us to be able to go out there and just showcase what we’re capable of. So, again, we’re focusing on putting in the plan today and taking it one day at a time. And then Sunday we have an opportunity to go out there and try to get a W.”
In Nashville, it looked like the offense was really balanced. The distribution of the receivers was balanced. The run game really got going. Was that kind of what Todd Monken has been preaching about since he came in as far as his vision offensively? And if so, now, how do you carry that forward so that balance is there week in and week out?
“We can just build off of each and every game. The success that we did have, correct the mistakes that we messed up on, but just continue to build off the success and just really try to stay as balanced as possible. If we can run the ball in this league, then all the other things are going to take care of itself. So, that’s definitely something that every team, especially us, preach that we’ve got to establish a line of scrimmage, because that’s the engine. As our O-line go, everything else kind of goes from there.”
How much are you enjoying this, how you’re playing?
“It’s a blessing, man. A lot of enjoyment to be able to play football. And while playing football, getting wins and having success, seeing all the young guys having success. So, it’s definitely been a good seven weeks.”
And I know you’re confident guy, but is there any element of surprise for you that you’re playing like this, coming off all the injuries and stuff?
“No.”
I think you only ran the ball three times. As the year goes on, and that was because Judkins was back, Sampson was back. Is that the way you guys wanted to go? To have to run less, you personally?
“It just depends on the game, honestly. The flow of the game, how the game is being called. The less I have to run, then that’s definitely always a positive, most definitely.”
Deshaun, I know we’ve talked about how you play in the fourth quarter and how that’s led to these game-winning drives, but as a whole, this team, what is it about the makeup that has led to getting the outcomes that you want in a tight game, rather than some teams or this team in the past, maybe those games not going your way, but getting the win and being in the right moment?
“Just staying locked in, playing 60 minutes, playing to the final whistle. The game is never over until it’s over, so you never know what can happen. And then being in those moments and those opportunities with the ball in our hands, let’s go make something special happen and help this team win. And so far, we’ve been able to capitalize that.”
Why has this team been doing that this year?
“I can’t speak on too many previous years. I didn’t have too many games, but this year, just everyone’s locked in and just on the same page.”
Deshaun, do you have to guard against, or do you talk to some of these young guys about what it’s going to be like to go into Pittsburgh, with the intensity of this rivalry, how physical it’s going to be? I mean, maybe even more so than the game here.
“No, we don’t. No. Every game is going to be physical. So, again, we don’t try to make one game bigger than the other. I think all the young guys understand. They got a little taste of it on Thursday night. So, I think everyone will be prepared and just want to go play and play hard and try to get a W.”
You’ve talked a lot about this new Browns culture and winning. How much of that do you guys credit Todd Monken to having the success?
“He’s a big credit from day one, his team meeting. That’s one of the things he wanted to preach is, he set the tone and the way he operates, the way he brings the energy each and every day. It trickles to the locker room. So, we follow him as players, and the vets and leaders of the team kind of carry his energy and his mode into the locker room and on the field. So, it’s definitely been good to be able to have Todd come in and set the tone that he wanted for this team.”
In the first Pittsburgh game, you had 21 points in that second quarter. That’s a quarter of the year offensively, and then they must have adjusted after that. Was that the best quarter that you had, the way the offense was clicking in the first quarter?
“I don’t know. I can’t remember. I’m not sure, man.”
Deshaun, I had a conversation with KC (Concepcion Jr.) and I asked him what are some of the things he liked about the Dawg Pound. He specifically mentioned the way that they are embracing you this season. He loved that. It’s also, your name has been floated around with Comeback Player of the Year. How gratifying is it, just after last year, the year before, just to have your name floating around in that conversation right now, even though it’s still early, midseason right now?
“I mean, it’s always cool. You always acknowledge it a little bit. You build confidence off of it. But like you said, it’s a long season, we’ve got to continue to, week in, week out, continue to perform and play. But I just always wanted to be the guy I’ve always been. To just play football, be free, have fun, enjoy it. And this is definitely a year that I’m able to be free, have fun and enjoy the position I’m in. So, it’s definitely a blessing and just taking it one day at a time.”
In training camp, you said you don’t need to be the Deshaun of Houston back in the 2019 and 2018 seasons, because you’re a different quarterback now, at your age, and your stage of your career. Do you feel now, we’re eight games into it, closer to that Houston quarterback?
“I’m not sure, man. I’m not looking at the past. I’m looking forward. So, again, I’m just trying to be the best quarterback I can be right now in 2026 and help the team win as much as possible.”
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