CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Malik Willis, Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and more. Many of the questions came from out Football Insider subscribers. To become one, click the blue banner at the top of the cleveland.com/Browns page. Thanks for all of the great questions.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Will the Browns pursue Packers free agent quarterback Malik Willis? _— Sean N., Chicago, Ill._
**Hey, Sean:** I believe the Browns will do their diligence on Willis, just like they will for any quality veteran quarterback coming available this offseason. They have already stated that they’ll scour the market for the best quarterbacks in their bid to field the best one possible in 2026. Willis was a QB I really liked when I studied him at the Senior Bowl in 2022 and talked to him there. I wrote a column that week saying that the Browns should draft him with their first round pick and develop him.
He seemed to have the arm talent and mobility to become a quality NFL starter in the right situation. The Browns traded that pick and their next two first-rounders, for Deshaun Watson, who will compete for the starting job this season in the last year of his five-year, $230 million contract. Willis is the dual-threat style of QB that Todd Monken really likes. However, he’ll be in demand in free agency with a scarcity of good QBs, and the price will be high. He’s also represented by Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta, who might not want to pit them against each other. The Dolphins will likely have a strong chance to land him now that former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is Miami’s head coach.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Do you think Todd Monken has seen enough film and practice reps at this point to determine whether Shedeur Sanders should enter camp as the starter, or is the decision intentionally being held back to keep competition strong in the locker room? _— Mike Parker, Chester, Md._
**Hey, Mike:** Todd Monken and the rest of the offensive staff will study Sanders and Deshaun Watson extensively leading up to the start of free agency and trade market March 11 and determine if they need to acquire another potential starter for 2026. If so, they’ll then decide if they’re acquiring a veteran or drafting a QB possibly with their No. 6 or No. 24 picks in the first round, or with some combination of those picks. At this point, the No. 2 college prospect behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is Alabama’s Ty Simpson. If Monken believes he already has his starter in Watson or Sanders, he’ll watch them closely throughout the offseason program and minicamp to determine which one has the edge.
It remains to be seen if he’d want to conduct an open competition in camp or name his QB1 heading in and give him most of the starting reps. At this point, Sanders has a chance to win the job, but the Monken is also intrigued by Watson and curious to see what he might have left. I do think they like the idea of keeping their QBs hungry to win the job.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Can you assess if there is any sense of comfort or an increased level of confidence among Browns fans about the hiring of Todd Monken and how it could elevate the level of play on the offensive side of the ball? He seems very aggressive with his offensive philosophy! _— Rick LaPaglia, Clifton Springs, NY_
**Hey, Rick:** I think Browns fans are starting to appreciate what Todd Monken is all about and what’s he’s accomplished in his 37-year career. I think he’s a great fit for this market and this team with is no-nonsense, transparent demeanor. I think his press conferences will be much more illuminating, and fans will like that. On the field, I think he’ll do whatever it takes to make this offense explosive.
I think he’ll give an honest appraisal of the quarterback room, and speak up if he needs another starting option. He’s also excellent at developing young player, and will be good for Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. I do think he’ll be aggressive, and I think he’ll tailor the scheme to fit his personnel. He prefers a dual-threat quarterback, and currently has three in the room who can extend plays and make off-schedule plays. He’ll also get the most of Quinshon Judkins and Dillon Sampson. As long as he has a quality starting QB, fans will like his approach.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Who do you think will be our new defensive coordinator? Do you also think Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are okay with the direction we’re headed? Do you think the Browns will be competitive again while Ward and Garrett are still here? _— Jared Z., Surprise, Ariz._
**Hey, Jared:** Monken has interviewed some excellent candidates for defensive coordinator, including Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver, Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda and Texans passing game coordinator Cory Undlin. All three have been coordinators at the college or pro level, including Tarver calling the Raiders defense from 2012-14, and Undlin heading up the Lions’ unit in 2020.
All three have also worked under Jim Schwartz, including Undlin winning a Super Bowl with him in Philadelphia. He’s interviewed other qualified candidates, but I’m guessing coordinator experience will be a big plus. If the Browns get good QB play this season, they can be competitive while Garrett and Ward are still in their prime.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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Would you consider the upcoming draft an epic failure if the Browns drafted three offensive lineman at 6, 24 and 39?_—Eric, Medina, Ohio_
**Hey, Eric:** I wouldn’t feel that way at all. I understand the importance of building in the trenches, and the power of a great offensive line. If going o-linemen with those three picks helps transform the offense, I’d have no problem with that, especially if the Browns acquire some weapons in free agency or trades. And if they feel strongly that they have their starting QB for 2026 in the building, they can afford to load up on offensive linemen. It’d be a wise investment in the future if the go that route.
**Hey, Mary Kay:**
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What is the opinion on Zac Zinter and Mike Hall Jr.? Do the Browns think these guys have a future, or was this a miss in the draft? _— Tony Gartner, Cleveland, Ohio_
**Hey, Tony:** This should be a pivotal year for both Hall and Zinter, the Browns’ 2024 second-round pick and third-round pick, respectively. Zinter hasn’t had much of a chance to get on the field, and Hall spent much of last season working his way back from a serious knee injury from the year before. With left guard Joel Bitonio contemplating retirement again, and right guard Wyatt Teller about to be a free agent, Zinter has an opportunity to challenge for a starting job this season, and same thing for Hall if he’s healthier this season. He hasn’t been on the field consistently enough to show what he can really do. But with a new coach in Todd Monken, it’s prove-it time for both players.
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