Cleveland Browns QB Battle: Monken Clarifies Watson's Surprise First-Team Reps

Cleveland Browns Head Coach Todd Monken is pushing back against speculation after Deshaun Watson unexpectedly took all first-team quarterback reps over Shedeur Sanders during a recent practice, despite Sanders initially being slated for the role. The eleventh-hour change, which occurred just 45 minutes before Saturday's session, sparked immediate criticism and fresh questions about the team's ongoing quarterback competition for the coveted QB1 spot. Monken explained the decision was simply to balance out practice snaps, as Sanders had accumulated more first-team work in previous days, insisting the competition remains wide open. The sudden switch fueled an already intense debate, especially with Shedeur Sanders, drafted by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, showing promising numbers in recent practices with a 70.9% completion rate, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions over 10 sessions. This contrasts with Deshaun Watson 63.9% completion, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions during the same period. The stakes are high for Monken, who took over as head coach earlier this year, as he navigates the significant investments made in Watson versus the potential of the younger Sanders, who some analysts believe could even be traded if Watson is named the starter. As the Browns head into padded practices and their first preseason game, the quarterback battle remains a critical storyline. Monken has stated that both Sanders and Watson will continue to split reps and will each start a preseason game, emphasizing that a decision on the QB1 will likely come before Week 1. Fans and analysts will be closely watching for any further shifts in practice assignments and performance, as the team aims to solidify its starting signal-caller and build momentum for the 2026 NFL season.