New Browns head coach Todd Monken indicated that there would be a quarterback competition this spring and summer, but how that competition will play out could be a little different.
Monken said there won't be an even three-way split in workload between holdover QBs Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson when the Browns' offseason program starts April 7.
"I don't expect the reps to be divided equally," Monken said Tuesday from the AFC coaches breakfast at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, via the Akron Beacon Journal.
As for who is in the driver's seat for the competition, Monken isn't yet ready to say. He indicated that the staff will make a determination on which one of the three will get the first crack at being QB1 going off "basically what we've seen in the past and where the year ended last year."
By that rationale, it would appear that Sanders -- who started the Browns' final seven games under the former staff -- would have the lead. Monken even mentioned that he has prominently displayed in his office the gold porcelain horse’s head that Sanders gifted him this offseason because of how often Sanders visits him there.
But Sanders isn't at the front of the line yet, according to Monken.
"I'm not ready to say that yet," Monken said. "I just said the reps can't be divided (evenly). There's no chance. At least on a daily basis."
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Watson has seemingly become a stronger option in recent days, with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam appearing to boost the embattled QB's chances of winning the job, indicating that Watson has slimmed down, is in great shape and will report on April 7 ready to compete for the job.
"Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful," Haslam said this week, per ESPN. "Let's see what Deshaun can do. We're all excited."
Monken admitted he hasn't watched a lot of film on Watson but said that he's played on an elite level previously.
"I know he's going to be on the roster," Monken said, via NFL Senior National Columnist Judy Battista. "I know we're going to evaluate him."
The mystery man is Gabriel. The Browns' 2025 third-rounder, selected two rounds ahead of Sanders, started six games and went 1-5 before giving way to Sanders after suffering a concussion. Interestingly, Monken said Sanders has been at the Browns' facility often this offseason but that Gabriel, to his knowledge, has not.
There's also a chance competition is added to the mix. The Browns could opt to draft a quarterback in April with one of their nine selections, including two first-rounders and three total in the top 39 overall. According to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo, the Browns are one of three teams to schedule a top-30 visit with Alabama's Ty Simpson, who could be the second quarterback drafted this year after Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.