Browns HC Todd Monken dropped a major clue to watch regarding the starting QB battle this week
Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are battling to be the team’s starting quarterback. A major clue is coming this week for the Browns.
The Cleveland Browns starting quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will take a significant step forward this week when Cleveland opens its preseason slate against the Chicago Bears.
The Browns’ first preseason game will mark the first time the quarterbacks face competition outside of their own team during training camp in Berea, and head coach Todd Monken has already stated the starters are expected to play.
Watson and Sanders have been the two primary competitors for the starting job, but Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green will likely see action as well to get all four quarterbacks on the field.
Todd Monken’s comments shed light on how the Browns will approach the decision
On Saturday, Monken stated before practice that Sanders would likely get the majority of first-team reps, but things didn’t work out that way. Watson ended up taking those reps in a change of plans. Who starts the first preseason game for the Browns is going to be a telling sign about who is leading for the job, and it could very well be Watson.
“It’s a collective body of work over the last 10 weeks,” Monken said over the weekend. “Actually, the first game, it’ll be who we think to start off will give us the best chance to function and score the most points. Even in a preseason game, the win or loss won’t matter, but how we play is going to matter to me. How we function offensively, it’ll be the same way with Rudy (Mike Rutenberg) on defense or Byron (Storer) on special teams.”
Whoever we put out there, we want the product to look like we want it to look like, so ultimately, that’ll be the start of it.”
Watson returns to the field for the first time since 2024 Achilles injury
The preseason opener will also carry added significance because of Watson’s return to game action. It will be the first time Watson is back on the field since the Achilles injury he suffered in 2024 that forced him to miss the entire 2025 season.
No matter who plays, the spotlight will be on both quarterbacks and what they can do when they’re on the field. The performances from Watson and Sanders in this game will carry real weight in this quarterback competition.
