Todd Monken says Browns QB decision will wait, as Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders keep splitting reps

The Cleveland Browns will not have a designated starting quarterback by the time training camp begins. Head coach Todd Monken indicated this week that the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will continue into training camp, even after spring practices in which the team split first-team reps at the position.

Monken’s reasoning, as reported, is tied to timing and evaluation. Speaking in the period leading up to Cleveland’s June minicamp, Monken said he is not going to name a No. 1 quarterback and suggested a decision immediately after minicamp is unlikely. He also framed the situation as something that still needs to play out through additional reps, emphasizing that both quarterbacks have earned the right to compete to start based on how they have performed. The practical effect is that the Browns are treating the quarterback job as an extended, coach-led audition rather than an offseason conclusion.

The Browns’ decision matters because quarterback clarity typically shapes everything around the position. First-team rep allocation affects how the offense installs timing, reads protection changes at full speed, and organizes the weekly rhythm for skill players. With both Watson and Sanders still in the mix, Cleveland’s offense will likely keep using a blended approach, which can be beneficial for competition but also delays the moment when everyone can fully tailor their preparation to a single communicator.

Watson enters the summer as a veteran with a complicated history in Cleveland. According to the reporting, Monken and the staff are still weighing Watson’s recovery and performance, including the fact that he missed the 2025 season after pair of Achilles tears. The Browns, meanwhile, also have roster and long-term cap context tied to Watson. Pro Football Rumors reported that Watson is set for one more season as things stand, with a restructure positioned for a widely expected post-June 1 release in 2027, while acknowledging there is room for the possibility that he remains in Cleveland beyond that point.

Sanders, the other quarterback in the competition, has also remained firmly in the picture. While the specific day-to-day performance swings in June were reported across multiple outlets, the key takeaway from Monken’s comments is that the Browns believe Sanders has done enough to keep earning first-team reps rather than being separated from the race. Several reports around the minicamp window suggested the competition was close, and that the Browns were still searching for a clear separation point in how the quarterbacks handle the system and execute under increasing tempo.

The team’s internal plan for evaluation helps explain why a single spring checkpoint may not be enough. Cleveland’s official team site has described how Monken plans to approach reps to evaluate the quarterback competition, indicating a structured process for assessing performance as offseason work progresses. The Browns appear to believe that training camp reps, where timing and communication get tested against a more complete football schedule of preparation, will provide the extra information they want.

For Browns fans, the most immediate watch item is whether Monken and offensive coordinator Todd Monken keep splitting reps at a similar rate once camp starts, or whether one quarterback begins to separate during early padded work. If no separation emerges quickly, Cleveland may be forced to carry the competition further than teams often prefer, which can shape how the roster builds depth around the starter and how the coaching staff manages installation. Either way, the decision timeline that Monken outlined indicates that the quarterback picture remains fluid well into the summer.