Todd Monken Gets Honest About Browns' QB Competition

OTAs are underway for the Cleveland Browns under first-year head coach Todd Monken.

Still, the biggest question Monken must answer this offseason is who will be the team's starting quarterback heading into the 2026–27 season.

Right now, the Browns have four quarterbacks on the depth chart: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Green.

Monken made it clear that determining a starter will be a process and remains very much undecided, a point he reiterated again this week.

"Nothing's really changed other than it's a different day and you're firing the same questions," Monken said. "I mean, we're going to rotate those guys and play the best player, and we'll see."

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The competition appears to be primarily between Watson and Sanders for the starting job, with both quarterbacks splitting first-team reps during 11-on-11 periods. That rotation is expected to continue through OTAs and into training camp later this summer as Monken evaluates the situation.

Watson is entering the final year of the fully guaranteed $230 million contract he signed with Cleveland back in 2022, while Sanders is entering year two of his rookie deal after starting the final seven games of last season, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Sanders, however, has responded well to the competition this offseason and seems to be embracing Monken's approach.

"I think it's honestly about talking to Coach (Monken)," Sanders said. "I think coach just spoke life into me. And then when you do that, you just get the best result for me."

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 8:45 AM.