Deshaun Watson will serve as a Browns captain in Week 1 as Todd Monken introduces a rotating leadership system for Cleveland’s 2026 season.

The Cleveland Browns are doing captains differently under Todd Monken, and the first group comes with an attention-grabbing name.

Deshaun Watson will serve as one of Cleveland’s five captains for the Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, joining guard Zion Johnson, cornerback Tyson Campbell, defensive tackle Mason Graham and long snapper Rex Sunahara.

MORE: Ohio State vs Texas: Matt Wilhelm Sounds Alarm on Buckeyes Run Game | Tim May Show

For Watson, the designation adds another layer to what is already a critical season.

He enters the opener as Cleveland’s starting quarterback, and now Monken is also giving him a visible leadership role at the coin toss. That doesn’t mean Watson has been named a season-long captain, though. Monken is taking a different approach.

The Browns will rotate captains weekly throughout the 2026 season.

Each game, the coaching staff will select two offensive players, two defensive players and one special teams representative. At the end of the season, players will vote on permanent captains for the year.

Monken’s reasoning is straightforward: Cleveland has a young roster, and he doesn’t want to lock the leadership structure into four or five names before the season even starts.

Instead, the weekly captaincy becomes something players can earn.

That makes Watson’s Week 1 selection notable.

The Browns are clearly putting responsibility on the veteran quarterback as they begin a new era under Monken. Watson’s performance will be scrutinized regardless, but being chosen as one of the first captains suggests the coaching staff wants him front and center.

Johnson will represent the offense alongside Watson, while Campbell and Graham get the nod defensively. Sunahara handles the special teams spot.

The rotating system also gives Monken flexibility.

If younger players emerge, veterans step up or certain players set the tone in practice, the Browns can recognize that leadership immediately rather than waiting until the end of the year.

MORE: Roger Goodell Signs NFL Extension Through 2031

For Cleveland, it’s a small but revealing culture change.

For Watson, it’s another signal that the Browns are giving him the first chance to lead this team in 2026.

Now he has to make it count when Cleveland opens the season in Jacksonville.