Head Coach Todd Monken Sticks With Deshaun Watson as Browns Quarterback

Shedeur Sanders continues to await his opportunity to become the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Despite significant buzz surrounding the young quarterback, Browns head coach Todd Monken has maintained confidence in Deshaun Watson, who has guided the team to a 4-2 start in the 2026 NFL season.

The quarterback competition drew considerable attention during the preseason, particularly during a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In that contest, Sanders completed nine of eleven passes for 74 yards, threw a touchdown pass, and added an interception following a tipped ball. Meanwhile, Watson struggled in the second half, finishing five of twelve for 35 yards and an interception while facing boos from the Cleveland crowd.

Following the preseason game, Watson addressed his detractors and the difficult relationship with portions of the home fan base. "I think the whole world knows. It has nothing to do about the performance. It's a little bit more personal than that," Watson stated, referencing the crowd's reaction. He added, "Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles. And that same fan base, they cheered when I got hurt."

Coach Monken defended the decision to hold an open competition between Watson and Sanders, emphasizing the necessity of evaluating both players thoroughly. "Some other people might not see it that way, but in order to make an educated decision on both players, we needed to see them both practice and play," Monken explained. He stressed that the ultimate goal was determining who gives the team the best chance to win and score points.

Former NFL linebacker Willie McGinest weighed in on the situation, noting that Sanders entered the league as a fifth-round pick rather than a top draft selection, meaning immediate pressure was not placed on the position. Speaking on the All the Smoke podcast, McGinest explained that coaching staffs evaluate internal factors that outsiders do not see, such as practice performance, preparation, and command of the offense.

"It always comes down to who gives us the best chance to win. I know there's a lot of hype, and is the hype behind the name, or the lineage where you come from, or what you're actually doing on the football field? At some point, if he's doing what he needs to do on the football field, he'll get an opportunity," McGinest said.

With Cleveland holding a winning record and Watson firmly entrenched under center, the coaching staff currently has little motivation to alter its lineup based strictly on outside expectations. For Sanders, the primary path forward involves continuous improvement and maximizing the limited reps he receives in practice.