All articles tagged with #todd monken
Deshaun Watson will start Cleveland’s 2026 season, coach Todd Monken announced after a spring/summer QB competition with Shedeur Sanders and Watson’s full recovery from an Achilles injury. The Browns have rebuilt their offense around Watson’s experience and health, but face a road-heavy early schedule and lingering questions about accountability amid a $230 million guaranteed contract that could be Watson’s last in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson in Week 1, with coach Todd Monken reportedly willing to give Watson a two-game road audition against the Jaguars and Buccaneers; a successful 2-0 stretch could ease fan tensions, but if Watson struggles Cleveland may turn to Shedeur Sanders by Week 3.
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken has not yet named a Week 1 starting quarterback, saying he’ll decide after weighing Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and other options to give the team the best chance to beat the Jaguars. The debate centers on Watson’s disappointing recent form versus Sanders’ safer public image, with fans also weighing Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green as potential backups. Regardless, Monken notes the decision is urgent but none of the options have shown clear dominance, and the likelihood a Week 1 starter remains the same through Week 18 appears low.
Browns coach Todd Monken says a starting quarterback will be named on Monday after weighing a few factors, with Deshaun Watson’s preseason reception not impacting the decision; Monken is focused on team performance, and if Watson isn’t the starter, the plan could involve Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green in the final preseason game.
Browns coach Todd Monken is set to name the Week 1 starter on Monday, with Deshaun Watson potentially getting the first two games (on the road at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay) to prove he can reclaim the job. If the Browns go 2-0, the mood could shift ahead of Week 3 vs. the Panthers, but Monken won’t lock in a 17-game decision yet and insiders may get leaks ahead of the official announcement.
Browns coach Todd Monken reacted with disbelief to TE Dae'Quan Wright entering the transfer portal, explaining Wright had a medical issue that allowed him to be cleared for preseason duty; Monken’s quip highlights the ongoing transfer-portal chaos as college programs push for roster flexibility, with Lane Kiffin and LSU cited as part of the broader dynamic while teams try to win now.
Browns coach Todd Monken signaled a controlled plan for starting QB reps ahead of Week 1, keeping Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders in a tight competition. If Watson doesn’t play with the top units in practice and Saturday’s game, it could hint that Watson will be the Week 1 starter, though Monken is slow-rolling the decision as Sanders gets looks to prove himself.
Deshaun Watson returned to game action in the Browns’ preseason opener vs. the Bears, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and rushing three times with a fumble, while Todd Monken hailed his play as ‘high level’ despite a few miscues. He’ll start again in the next preseason game as Cleveland weighs Week 1 decisions.
With Deshaun Watson named the first preseason starter but no QB1 cemented, Browns coach Todd Monken’s prolonged QB competition—pitting Watson against Shedeur Sanders—has drawn questions from fans and ESPN voices about decision-making pace and its impact on developing the offense ahead of the 2026 season.
During Browns camp, head coach Todd Monken deflected a ‘gotcha’ question about a Watson-Sanders comparison, saying he hadn’t declared one and signaling the quarterback competition remains open.
Browns coach Todd Monken said the quarterback plan for the first two preseason games isn’t finalized; Watson and Sanders will continue to rotate with the first team as long as the competition persists, with no firm starter date set.
At Browns camp, Todd Monken called his meeting with Deion Sanders 'awesome,' with the two swapping career stories and Sanders offering insights into his son Shedeur’s quarterbacking. Monken said the discussion, part-coach, part-father, was helpful as Shedeur competes with Deshaun Watson for Cleveland’s starting job, though it’s not expected to change the race.
Mike Florio argues that Shedeur Sanders can win the Cleveland Browns’ QB1 job if he commits to the detailed, non-game-day work Monken demands; with Watson initially leading and Sanders showing progress later, the key will be training camp and every rep to prove he’s willing to learn and execute Monken’s offense, potentially holding the job beyond 2026 if he keeps up the full commitment.
Jim Schwartz says resigning from the Browns after they passed him over for head coach and hired Todd Monken was necessary to avoid a 'bad situation'; he argued a forced coaching arrangement wouldn’t work and noted the defense had been among the best, adding that moving on was best for both sides.
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken said he isn’t interested in adding Brendan Sorsby, calling it a slippery slope and deferring to management, while praising the current QB room of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel as they approach fall camp.