The Browns are about to find out who's under center Week 1, and it's not a moment too soon. Todd Monken told reporters he plans to announce his starting quarterback on Monday, closing the book on a training camp battle that's dragged on all summer between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
Browns HC Todd Monken told reporters today that he plans to announce his Week 1 starting quarterback on Monday.
This isn't some throwaway camp battle, either. It's the kind of decision that shapes fantasy drafts, betting boards, and the entire vibe around a franchise that's been searching for QB stability since Baker Mayfield left town. Watson, the guy Cleveland gave a fully guaranteed record contract to, has had every chance to reclaim the job. Sanders, the rookie who fell to the Browns in the draft, has been pushing hard to force his way into the lineup.
Monken said the call comes down to "the full body of work" from both quarterbacks, not any single moment. That matters because Watson had a rough go of it in Saturday's preseason action, going 5-of-12 for 35 yards with an interception, while Sanders was sharper, completing 9-of-11 for 74 yards and a touchdown, per NFL.com. Watson also made headlines afterward with comments about getting booed by Browns fans, but Monken made clear that gripe won't sway the decision.
"I still have a few things to weigh out," Monken said, per the SleeperNFL post above, before confirming Cleveland anticipates naming the starter Tuesday... well, Monday, technically. Either way, the wait is almost over. Neither Watson nor Sanders is even expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots — that job goes to Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green — which tells you Monken's mind is basically already made up.
Whichever way it breaks, it's a franchise-defining call. Bench Watson and you're essentially admitting the most expensive quarterback contract in team history was a bust. Start him and you're betting on a bounce-back after a brutal, injury-plagued stretch. Hand it to Sanders and you're throwing a rookie into the fire in a city that's chewed up young QBs before. There's no easy button here — just a Monday deadline everyone in Cleveland is circling.