The Cleveland Browns quarterback battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson refuses to settle. Head coach Todd Monken made that clear this week in Berea. Both passers have done enough to keep fighting for the top spot well past mandatory minicamp.
Monken spoke Tuesday after another day of work. He praised the group without naming a frontrunner. The message landed loud and clear inside the facility: the job remains up for grabs once the pads come on for real.
Monken Keeps the Competition Alive
Monken did not hide his satisfaction with what he has seen so far.
“I think both quarterbacks have played well enough where we haven’t really been in pads, we haven’t played any games yet, haven’t really gotten to that point yet,” he said. “Every day I kind of lean one way or the other with the quarterbacks. We still got to get to that point… we got two starting-level quarterbacks we really do.”
Those comments align with what ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler have reported. The top spot on the depth chart stays fluid heading into training camp. Preseason games will likely decide the starter for Week 1 against Jacksonville.
The approach fits Monken’s first year running the show. He spent the previous three seasons as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator. Now he wants live reps and padded practices before locking anything in.
Sanders Builds on Strong Rookie Foundation
Shedeur Sanders entered last season as a fifth-round pick out of Colorado. He quickly showed he belonged.
In eight games with seven starts during the 2025 season, Sanders completed 120 of 212 passes for exactly 1,400 yards. He threw seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions and posted a 68.1 passer rating. The sample was small but encouraging for a rookie adjusting to NFL speed.
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This spring Sanders has added polish. Reports from minicamp’s opening day noted he took the majority of first-team reps in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 periods. His ball placement on intermediate routes and deep shots stood out. The arm talent that made him a riser in college remains on full display.
Watson Leans on Veteran Experience
Deshaun Watson brings a different resume. He owns more than 70 career starts and three Pro Bowl nods from his Houston days. The Browns traded multiple first-round picks to acquire him in 2022 and signed him to a massive extension.
Injuries and other setbacks limited his production in Cleveland. Watson appeared in just 19 games across three seasons before missing the entire 2025 campaign following multiple surgeries on his right Achilles tendon. He enters 2026 fully healthy and motivated for a fresh start under a new coaching staff.
Earlier this offseason some observers, including Jeremy Fowler, gave Watson the early edge because of that experience. Monken has given him a clean slate. The veteran has responded with steady command of the offense during spring work.
Why the Decision Stays Delayed
Monken’s system demands timing, rhythm, and quick processing. Spring ball only reveals part of the picture. Padded practices and preseason games will expose how each quarterback handles pressure, blitzes, and live contact.
Sanders offers youth, mobility, and recent momentum. Watson offers presence in the huddle and the ability to make plays when the pocket collapses. Monken appears content to let the competition play out rather than force a premature choice.
The approach also sends a message to the rest of the roster. No position is handed out. Everyone earns their role.
What Fans Should Watch Next
Training camp opens in late July. Joint practices and the three preseason games will serve as the real proving ground. Expect both quarterbacks to split reps early before the reps tilt toward the eventual starter.
Cleveland’s 2026 offense will look different regardless of who wins the job. Monken brings concepts and play-action emphasis from his Ravens background. The supporting cast includes weapons that can stretch the field once the quarterback settles in.
The battle has already created buzz inside the building and among fans. Two capable quarterbacks pushing each other every day usually lifts the entire group. Monken seems determined to let that process finish the right way.