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Browns' Todd Monken Admits QBs Still Have Work To Do Amid Shedeur Sanders-Deshaun Watson Battle 1
The Cleveland Browns have yet to arrive at a final decision on their quarterback battle that features Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
Todd Monken, the first-year Cleveland head coach, is mainly tasked with making that huge pick for the team’s starter under center come Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
It may seem that Monken is leaning more toward Watson’s direction because the quarterback has more experience and is more accomplished. But injuries and off-the-field issues have greatly diminished Watson’s value, opening the door for someone like Sanders to make a case and actually win the starting job.
In any case, Monken wants to see more from both quarterbacks before Cleveland makes the much-awaited decision.
“A number of times, just the QBs being on the road, in and out of the huddle, using silent cadence, that was apparent that we still have work to do,” Monken said, via Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland.
Neither Sanders Nor Watson Had A Sparkling Performance In The Browns’ Preseason Opener Against The Bears
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesJun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland quarterback Sanders (2) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sanders did not do very well in Cleveland’s first game in the 2026 NFL preseason. So did Watson, as both quarterbacks did not exactly shine under center in last Saturday’s meeting with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Watson passed 11-of-15 for 126 passing yards with zero touchdowns and no interceptions, while getting sacked once for a loss of five yards.
Sanders, on the other hand, went 6-of-11 for 79 passing yards with zero touchdowns, while throwing an ugly interception in the second half. If anything, Watson had the better performance, but it was not a very telling showing from the former Clemson Tigers star signal-caller.
The Browns have another NFL preseason game coming up on Saturday, when they will be sharing the field with the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.