Todd Monken, the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, has expressed his desire to establish a starting quarterback ahead of training camp, which starts in late July. During a media session at the NFL Scouting Combine on February 25, Monken indicated that the outcome of the offseason will play a critical role in this decision.
Currently, the contenders for the starting position include Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. Monken emphasized the importance of organized team activities and minicamp in determining who will lead the team. “You would hope by the time you get to training camp that the reps you”re giving to your quarterback are for your starter,” he stated. “Whether we get to that place, I don”t know. That will be determined in the offseason as part of it. It”s just another part of the piece.”
Last year, under former head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns made several moves to bolster their quarterback options, acquiring Kenny Pickett through a trade and signing veteran Joe Flacco. The team faced challenges during practice as they attempted to manage reps among multiple quarterbacks, which impacted Sanders” opportunity to play with the first-team offense until late in the season.
As the offseason program kicks off on April 6, Monken remains optimistic about Watson”s potential. “I don”t know why it wouldn”t be an open competition,” he remarked. “I don”t think there”s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, “Boy, we have our starter at quarterback.” Whether internally or externally.” Monken”s experience with Watson dates back to when he was the offensive coordinator at the University of Georgia prior to Watson”s trade to the Browns in March 2022.
Watson”s time with the Browns has been marred by an 11-game suspension and various injuries, limiting him to just 19 appearances over four seasons. He last completed a full season in 2020 with the Texans, where he threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. Since joining the Browns, he has thrown only 19 touchdowns and missed the entire 2025 season recovering from Achilles surgery.
“Anytime you have a player that at one time exhibited the skill set at an elite level, you”re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again,” Monken commented. “The players decide who plays. I”ve never decided who plays.”
Monken is also approaching Sanders” performance with a fresh perspective. Sanders, who started seven games last season, recorded seven touchdown passes against nine interceptions, while being sacked 21 times. “What you see is elite playmaking ability,” Monken noted. “Sure, there”s a ways to go, but what first-year player doesn”t have a long way to go? I”m excited to get started with him and all of our quarterbacks and all of our players.”
With the competition heating up, Monken has not ruled out the possibility of drafting another quarterback or signing a veteran player to join the mix.
