Cleveland Browns expert Anthony Grossi has a suggestion for how head coach Todd Monken should deal with the confusing quarterback roster.

On Monday, he appeared on Tony Rizzo’s show, 850 ESPN Cleveland, and answered the host's questions.

When asked if there would be competition among the quarterbacks and who would be Monken's QB 1, Grossi said, “I don’t like competition. It should be a competition.”

Grossi has strong reasons to believe Shedeur Sanders is going to claw at other quarternacks. After fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel sustained a season-ending injury, Sanders took over from Week 11. 

And other than the Week 14 game, where he scored three touchdowns, Sanders was inconsistent. In eight games, he threw seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions for 1,400 yards.

And this kind of performance does not scream Sanders is QB 1 material

Up until now, only the 2025 rookies were gunning for the starting quarterback position. But 30-year-old Deshaun Watson has recovered from his injuries and is set for a comeback.

Yes, Watson has played in only 19 games in four years. But he has still spent more time on the field than the other options. In three seasons as a Browns starter, Watson scored 19 touchdowns for 3,365 yards. 

Not much, but marginally better than Sanders. However, in the past two years, the Browns plummeted to the 30th rank in the league. They now depend on Monken to fix their abysmal offense for good.

Which Is Why Grossi Believes That the 59-Year-Old Head Coach Would First Have to Test Who Fits His Game Plans the Best

“Yeah, till he sees Watson and Shedeur, for that matter. You know he’s gotta hand them his playbook and see how they digest it. That’s part of it, too, especially that position.

Monken hasn’t been through this with Shedeur, Gabriel, and Watson, for that matter,” Grossi said.

The Browns have had the worst luck in finding a franchise quarterback, and the 2025 season was the pinnacle of confusion. After they traded veteran Joe Flacco in the first week, the Browns trusted rookie Dillon Gabriel with the fall, who underwhelmed. 

Gabriel scored seven touchdowns for 932 yards and threw two interceptions in the 10 games he played.  

With such performances from all the quarterbacks, neither fans nor experts can firmly rally behind a particular player. A point not missed by Grossi. He said that Monken, who has the final say, can only announce this major decision after training.

 “I don't think we are going to hear that until the inclusion in minicamp,” he shared with Rizzo.

It seems that fans have to wait a little longer for this important update. But in the meantime, tell us your guess in the comments. And follow the Cleveland Browns Community for more.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das