The Browns have plenty of quarterbacks on the roster, but don’t seem ready to name a starter yet.
Browns head coach Todd Monken was noncommittal about his starting quarterback between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson when asked Tuesday at the end of mandatory minicamp.
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“I’m not there yet,” Monken told reporters. “I just don’t see it after the way Shedeur has played and the way Deshaun’s played. They’ve both played well enough to earn the right to compete to start.”
Browns head coach Todd Monken gestures during the teams’ NFL football practice on June 9, 2026, in Berea, Ohio. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
Monken is in his first season at the helm in Cleveland, and has said he would like to be able to name a starting quarterback and have a defined depth chart by the start of training camp.
Thus far, Sanders and Watson have been splitting first-team reps in offseason workouts.
On Tuesday, Sanders took all the starting reps in 11-on-11 drills, and Watson had his reps with the second-team offense.
Wednesday, Monken said, first-team reps will belong to Watson, and they will be split between Sanders and Watson on Thursday.
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The team traded away franchise legend Myles Garrett to the Rams last week, and though the Browns got a very solid defender back in Jared Verse, the Garrett trade emphasizes the lack of clarity for the franchise’s overall direction, which in theory could play into the quarterback decision.
Shedeur Sanders throws a pass during the Browns’ mandatory minicamp at Cross Country Mortgage Campus. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Deshaun Watson throws a pass during the Browns’ mandatory
minicamp. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Monken said he believes the Browns have “two starting-level quarterbacks,” and that until one separates itself, he doesn’t want to name a starter quite yet.
“The quarterbacks’ progression, just in the short time that we’ve been out there so far, is very encouraging, and we’re very excited about that.”
The Browns went 5-12 last season, finishing fourth in the AFC North, as Sanders, in his rookie campaign, threw for 1,400, with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Watson ruptured his Achilles twice during the 2024 campaign and did not play last year.
The Browns also have 2025 draft pick Dillon Gabriel and 2026 pick Taylen Green in the QB room.
They open the new season in Jacksonville on Sept. 13.
