Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken delivered high praise for quarterback Shedeur Sanders during Wednesday’s media availability, highlighting the young player’s significant growth heading into the 2026 season. The second-year signal-caller has emerged as a central figure in the team’s quarterback competition, which includes veteran Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Green. Monken’s comments came as the Browns conducted their second organized team activities practice, where Sanders continues to receive first-team repetitions alongside Watson.
The quarterback situation in Cleveland remains one of the most scrutinized storylines in the NFL as the franchise navigates a crucial offseason under new leadership. Sanders finished the 2025 campaign as the team’s starting quarterback after earning his first career win against the Las Vegas Raiders, a performance that convinced then-head coach Kevin Stefanski to hand him the reins for the remainder of the season.
Head coach emphasizes Sanders’ technical progression
Monken didn’t hold back in his assessment of Sanders’ development since entering the league as a fifth-round draft pick. The head coach specifically pointed to improvements in fundamental aspects of quarterback play that often separate good players from elite ones. Sanders has shown marked advancement in reading defensive progressions, a skill that typically requires significant time to develop at the professional level. His ability to process information quickly and deliver the ball with improved timing has caught the attention of the coaching staff.
The young quarterback’s understanding of offensive concepts has also expanded considerably. Monken noted that Sanders demonstrates a more sophisticated grasp of how plays develop and when to exploit defensive weaknesses. This mental growth complements his physical tools and suggests a player who has dedicated himself to mastering the intellectual demands of the position. The head coach’s public endorsement carries weight as the team evaluates its options under center.
Watson returns from injury with athleticism intact
While Sanders receives praise for his development, Deshaun Watson’s presence looms large over the quarterback competition. The veteran quarterback missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his Achilles tendon in October 2024, but his return to the practice field has generated attention. Monken observed that Watson’s natural athleticism remains evident despite the significant injury and extended absence from game action. The head coach characterized this mobility as one of Watson’s “superpowers,” a quality that could prove valuable if he regains his pre-injury form.
Watson’s tenure with the Browns has fallen far short of expectations since the franchise acquired him through a trade in 2022 and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract over five years. Injuries have derailed what the organization hoped would be a transformative addition to the roster. Now healthy and participating in organized team activities, Watson faces the challenge of proving he can still perform at a high level while competing against a younger player who gained valuable experience during his absence.
Depth chart features multiple options at quarterback
The Browns enter the summer with four quarterbacks vying for roster spots and playing time. Beyond Sanders and Watson, Dillon Gabriel remains in the mix after serving as the team’s starter following Joe Flacco’s mid-season trade to the Cincinnati Bengals. Gabriel’s experience in the system gives him familiarity that could prove advantageous. Taylen Green, the team’s rookie addition, rounds out the group and provides a developmental option with upside.
- Shedeur Sanders brings momentum from finishing 2025 as the starter
- Deshaun Watson offers veteran experience and elite athleticism when healthy
- Dillon Gabriel provides system familiarity after starting multiple games in 2025
- Taylen Green represents a long-term investment as the rookie quarterback
The competition appears most intense between Sanders and Watson, with both quarterbacks receiving equal first-team repetitions during organized team activities. This democratic approach allows Monken and his staff to evaluate both players without prematurely committing to a starter. The head coach’s willingness to keep the competition open reflects either genuine uncertainty about the best option or a strategic decision to push both quarterbacks to elevate their performance.
Training camp timeline for starter decision
Monken addressed the timeline for naming a starting quarterback, expressing a preference for clarity before training camp begins in July. The head coach acknowledged that ideal scenarios don’t always materialize, and some position battles extend beyond the spring evaluation period. His goal of identifying a starter by the beginning of training camp would provide the chosen quarterback with maximum repetitions and the opportunity to build chemistry with the first-team offense. However, Monken stopped short of guaranteeing that timeframe, leaving open the possibility that the competition could extend into August.
The uncertainty at quarterback creates ripple effects throughout the roster as players adjust to a new coaching staff and offensive system. Wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs must develop rapport with multiple signal-callers, a situation that can complicate preparation and timing. The sooner Monken identifies his starter, the more cohesive the offense can become before the regular season begins. Yet rushing to judgment before the evidence clearly favors one candidate could prove equally problematic if the wrong choice emerges.
Browns navigate transition under new leadership
The quarterback competition unfolds against the backdrop of significant organizational change in Cleveland. Monken’s elevation to head coach following Stefanski’s departure represents a new era for the franchise. The entire roster faces the challenge of learning new schemes, terminology, and coaching philosophies while competing for jobs. Sanders benefits from having finished the previous season as the starter, giving him momentum and credibility with teammates. Watson must overcome not only injury concerns but also the perception that his massive contract has not yielded commensurate production.
General manager Andrew Berry has declined to commit publicly to Sanders as the 2026 starter despite acknowledging the rookie’s progress during the 2025 season. This measured approach aligns with the team’s current evaluation process and keeps pressure on all candidates to perform. The Browns’ investment in Watson complicates any decision to move on from the veteran, as his guaranteed contract creates financial implications regardless of his status on the depth chart. These business realities intersect with football decisions as the organization charts its course forward.
As organized team activities continue through the spring, Sanders and his quarterback competitors will continue working to impress their new head coach. The next several weeks provide crucial evaluation opportunities before the intensity increases at training camp. Monken’s public comments suggest Sanders has made a strong impression, but the competition remains open as multiple players fight for the starting role. The Browns’ success in 2026 may ultimately depend on whether the right quarterback emerges from this battle and can lead the offense to meet the franchise’s expectations.