Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken kept quarterback Deshaun Watson in the game despite a relentless Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush that recorded eight sacks in a blowout loss on November 2, 2026.
The decision to leave Watson on the field drew scrutiny as the Steelers' defense dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the contest. Watson absorbed repeated hits behind an overmatched offensive line, raising questions about player safety and coaching strategy in a game that had already been decided.
Monken has not publicly explained his reasoning for not turning to a backup quarterback as the sack total mounted. The Browns' offense struggled to generate any momentum under constant pressure, and Watson's performance suffered as a result of the persistent harassment.
