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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will have some competition from Deshaun Watson for the starting role.
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken sounds genuinely intrigued by the possibility of having Deshaun Watson as his starting quarterback.
Watson arrived in Cleveland in 2022 via a blockbuster trade, but his tenure with the Browns has been rocky. Watson has appeared in just 19 games due to injuries and a lengthy suspension, posting a 9-10 record while throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Watson missed all of last season after undergoing a pair of Achilles surgeries.
The Browns traded for Watson believing he could become their long-sought answer at quarterback. A three-time Pro Bowler who once led the NFL in passing yards, Watson arrived in Cleveland with superstar expectations. But he has yet to show that ceiling with the Browns.
Cleveland has two young quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, both coming off their rookie seasons. But Monken seems interested in the idea of unlocking Watson’s prior Pro Bowl upside.
“You’ve got two young players who still have a long way to go in terms of development, and that’s just part of the learning curve in the NFL,” Monken said during an interview with Ashley Holder of Cleveland 19 News. “Then you have a player like Deshaun, who is coming back from injury and was once a Pro Bowl player and an elite player in this league. We would love to tap back into that.”
Browns Starting QB Still to be Decided
The first question Monken faced during his introductory press conference was about the Browns’ quarterback situation and how he plans to move forward. Monken didn’t commit to Shedeur Sanders as the starter, instead making it clear the position remains up for grabs.
“I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined,” Monken said. “Am I excited about Shedeur? Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Am I excited to coach this football team? Absolutely. I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
Sanders showed flashes of promise during his seven starts, but the fifth-round rookie didn’t do enough to cement himself as Cleveland’s unquestioned starter moving forward. The Browns believe Monken — hired for his offensive track record — can help stabilize the position and find a long-term solution.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam struck an optimistic tone when asked how confident he is that Todd Monken can find Cleveland’s long-term answer at quarterback.
“Highly confident. Andrew’s got to help him, we need players,” Haslam said. “But I’m highly confident.”
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Quiet Since Injury
Watson has been very quiet since being sidelined with his Achilles injury. But he has remained around the facility and has made his impact felt.
“I’ll say we’re very pleased with how Deshaun went through and attacked his rehab this past year, how he engaged with the team, what he did in the meeting rooms. Very pleased with the progress that he made in that regard,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said.
Watson is entering the final year of his fully guaranteed, $230 million contract. Berry said the expectation is that Watson will return next season.
“Look, I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team. But we have a long way to go before we get to that point with any player,” Berry said.
Watson is determined to get back on the field to prove he can be a viable starter. If he can’t, he may not have a home in the NFL for long.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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