NFL: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken looks on during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Todd Monken has a major responsibility of choosing the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. One team analyst explained why the head coach seems to be in control instead of the front office.
Monken became the Browns’ head coach earlier this year, moving on from being the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator after three seasons. This marks his first stint as a head coach in the NFL, seeing him embrace a big step in his career.
Monken has a quarterback room involving Watson, Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Taylen Green. While Watson stands to be the likely starter for Week 1, team analyst Tony Grossi explained why Monken hasn’t declared a definitive starter yet while Cleveland progresses through preseason action.
“It’s primarily the coach for this. I really do. Now I think the Browns’ front office, you know, there’s a reason Watson’s on the team; because of his contract. If they wanted to really tank, they would have cut him and taken the $130 million cap hit and had just undrafted free agents all over the place-that would have been pure tanking. But they’re trying to do both. They’re trying to win, and yet I think everyone believes that the final answer at quarterback is not here. So I think the front office is not making this call, but is agreeing with this,” Grossi said on the ESPN Cleveland show.
.@TonyGrossi believes that Browns HC Todd Monken is in charge and running the QB competition and not the front office. https://t.co/wzNoTjROkq pic.twitter.com/Sfgqhq8JuN
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 17, 2026
What Lies Ahead for Todd Monken and Browns this Season
Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel practice together at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21,
Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel practice together at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Deshaun Watson has been playing with the starters while Shedeur Sanders does his reps with the second unit. Should Watson struggle throughout the regular season as the initial starter, Sanders would have the chance to start in some games if Todd Monken believes that to be the best decision.
Watson hopes to have his healthiest season to date with Cleveland since joining in 2022, while Sanders gears up for Year 2. Cleveland looks to have a long-term option that will see the team rise from the bottom half of the league.
The Browns will attempt to improve on their 5-12 record from 2025. They also intend to return to the playoffs after a two-year absence, and end their 33-season division title drought, last winning one in 1989.
Cleveland will have the first two games of its 2026 campaign start on the road. They take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET.