NFL, American Football Herren, USA Baltimore Ravens Training Camp Jul 27, 2024 Owings Mill , MD, USA Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken walks the field during the afternoon session of training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center, Owings Mill Under Armour Performance Center MD USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTommyxGilliganx 20240727_twg_gb3_024

Jul 30, 2026, 3:15 PM CUT

Todd Monken refuses to choose between Deshaun Watson & Shedeur Sanders

Ahead of training camp, analysts have made cases for both Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson to emerge as QB1. However, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken isn't ready to name a starter just yet. That being said, with the first game, a lot could change.

If there was any expectation that the Browns would settle on either quarterback early, the head coach shut it down on Day 1 of training camp at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.

“We’re going to have to have a starter for the first game, right? I mean, ultimately, I’m not going to decide who the starter is," The head coach said. "They decide by their play. Their play decides who the starter is."

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100

For now, cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot has reported that the head coach will take his time until the season opener on September 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Earlier during spring OTAs and mini-camp, Watson was reportedly looking a lot better. Reports suggested he'd been taking first-team reps and even appeared relaxed under the new head coach.

The concerning part is that thus far in his Cleveland tenure, he has only played 19 games with 19 passing touchdowns over the last half-decade

Analysts have argued that even if one good season can be salvaged in his final year of a stunning $230 million contract, the future would still be murky.

That is why Shedeur Sanders has been suggested as a QB for the future. The fifth-round pick amassed 1,400 yards last year and had seven passing touchdowns in seven starts. While those numbers don't scream efficient, they're still a positive start.

In fact, Sanders has wasted little time making an impression. Working with new rookie wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston on the second-team offense Wednesday, Sanders uncorked a deep strike to Boston during 11-on-11 drills before hitting Concepcion on a deep out in 7-on-7s.

That being said, it can be easy to forget that the battle for the QB1 spot is not just limited to two players. In fact, the head coach himself comments on the fact that this would be a four-horse race.

Todd Monken names more QB1 contenders

Last year, it wasn't just Shedeur Sanders who arrived after the NFL Draft. Dillon Gabriel was drafted in the third round as well and even had seven passing touchdowns in 2025.

Moreover, during the 2026 NFL Draft, the team added another quarterback with a sixth-round pick in Taylen Green. This may be easy to forget for some, but the head coach is very aware of the situation. Mary Kay Cabot's aforementioned report shed light upon this.

“First of all, four quarterbacks are going to compete,” Monken said. “They all won’t get equal reps. Obviously we will alternate just like we did in the spring with Deshaun and Shedeur with the ones.”

Cleveland's three-game preseason slate against the Chicago Bears (Aug. 15), Buffalo Bills (Aug. 22), and the New England Patriots (Aug. 27) will give the Browns' young quarterbacks and rookies their first real chance to turn practice flashes into game-day statements.

Who do you think will emerge as QB1 for the franchise in 2026? Let us know!

Written by

Aadesh Dhote

Edited by

Rudra Dubey