Deshaun Watson named 1 of 5 captains for Jaguars game; Todd Monken will have weekly captains vs. season-long, but with a twist

BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson, who will start an NFL game for the first in 22 months when he visits the Jaguars, has been named a weekly captain for the game by coach Todd Monken. In his first season as head coach, Monken has opted for weekly captains instead of season-long ones. At the end of the season, the players will have a chance to weigh in on the team's best leaders. 'It'll vary week-to-week,' Monken said before practice on Monday. 'And then at the end of the year, the players will vote on the permanent 2026 captains. Each week will be different. Each week we'll allow two offense, two defense and special teams captain each week.' For the Jaguars game, it will be long snapper Rex Sunahara on special teams, Watson and left guard Zion Johnson on offense, and defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Tyson Campbell — the former Jaguar — on defense. 'I just like it that way,' Monken said. 'I think we have a fairly young team. I'm not ready to name guys that are permanent for us. I do think it's cool for players to go out for the coin toss. I think it's really cool. I think most teams have more leaders than just four or five guys. I just believe that. I believe that with each game, you reward guys for the week that they've had and that's what we're going to do.' Monken said the coaches will select the week-to-week captains. Watson was also named captain this week against a Jaguars team that he's 7-0 against. Did that factor into Monken's decision to start him, along with the silent counts on the road and other procedural strengths? 'It didn't,' Monken said. 'Then when I heard it afterwards, I felt a little bit better about it, but it didn't at the moment that I chose him, no.' Monken's hoping he'll run that record to 8-0 as Browns QB1 and Week 1 team captain.