The Quarterback race at the Cleveland Browns is gearing up with the return of Deshaun Watson. The toss-up is between him and 2nd-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Till now, Browns HC Todd Monken hasn't yet decided the QB1.

Monken remained adamant that nothing had changed since the last time he was asked about the Watson-Shedeur situation after an OTAs session on May 20.

"I mean, we’re going to rotate those guys and play the best player, and we’ll see," Todd Monken assessed.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, but it’s exciting to see... it’s a weapon for him," Todd Monken said about Watson. "It’s one of his superpowers, his athleticism.”

In three seasons with the Browns, he has played in 19 games, recording 9-10. He completed 61.2% of passes for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 154 interceptions.

However, this is a direct contrast with his Houston career, when he passed for 4,823 yards in just the 2020 season. In four seasons with Houston, he played in 54 games, recording 28-25, completing 67.8% of passes for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.

The major reason behind his downfall has been suspensions and injuries. Watson hasn't played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, with an Achilles tear and then a re-tear keeping him out of action. Now back in action, there wasn't anything to suggest that he had lost his athletic ability.

His primary competition for the QB1 spot, Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, has garnered mixed reactions from the fans in the last seven games of the 2025 season, with a decent outing for his debut NFL campaign.

"I think Shedeur's come miles in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts," the new Browns coach praised for Shedeur Sanders' progress in the offseason. "I think he's really, really come a long way."

In his seven starts in 2025, Sanders had a 3-4 record and threw for 1,400 yards and seven TDs. While he did have 23 interceptions and finished with a 68.1 traditional passer rating, the Browns' offense overall was miserable.

Todd Monken Slams "Embarrassing" Errors as Browns QB Battle Rages On

Todd Monken wasn't pleased with how the seven-on-seven passing drills played out in the OTAs.

"Yeah, we threw interceptions in seven-on-seven, for God's sake. I mean, who does that?" Monken vented to the media. "There's no pass rush. I mean, it's embarrassing." The HC expects clean football when there's no defensive pressure.

Earlier this offseason, experts and analysts like Peter Schrager and Skip Bayless have claimed Watson is the favorite to start in Game 1. But Monken firmly pushed back, making it clear that the race is completely open and nobody has established a definitive lead.

Todd Monken made only one promise about the depth chart for the QB room, which is that it will be set by “Jacksonville.” The Browns are slated to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season away from home.

With Watson being the veteran with a season like the one he had in 2020 on his CV, his veteran experience may give him the edge over Sanders.

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Written by

Nisarga Aseem Barkule

Edited by

Rudra Dubey