Story perspectives

Browns Coach Monken Praises Shedeur Sanders' OTAs Progress

5/21/2026

Summary

Sanders Improves

Head coach Todd Monken said the Browns see progress from quarterback Shedeur Sanders during OTAs.
Monken praised Sanders’ growing command, faster processing and better grasp of offensive concepts.
Sanders, a fifth-round 2025 draftee, played eight games (seven starts), completing 56.6% of passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and ten interceptions.
Monken said the staff’s focus on timing and diagnostics is paying off as the Browns prepare for the 2026 season.

Summary

Watson Returns

Deshaun Watson was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns after 22 women filed sexual misconduct allegations.
He missed the 2021 season, tore his Achilles in October 2024, re-tore it months later, and missed 2025.
Watson returned for the 2026 OTAs, which run May 26-28 and June 2-5.
Cleveland’s quarterback room also includes second-year Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green, and a starter will be named by the Week 1 Jacksonville game.

Summary

Monken Rotates QBs

Coach Todd Monken announced the Browns will rotate quarterbacks in OTAs, giving Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders practice leads.
Monken said the team will “play the best player,” has no preference, and aims to name a No. 1 quarterback by spring’s end, a decision is not guaranteed.
The rotation reflects a strategy to evaluate athleticism and offensive comprehension before committing to a starter, keeping the competition open through workouts.

History

Historical Context

After the Browns were reactivated in 1999—when the NFL awarded Al Lerner a $530 million expansion franchise and gave the team the first overall pick, Tim Couch—the club has started 42 different quarterbacks. Today, head coach Todd Monken is evaluating Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in OTAs, a continuation of the franchise’s long-standing quarterback turnover.

1 of 4

Sanders Improves

Head coach Todd Monken said the Browns see progress from quarterback Shedeur Sanders during OTAs.
Monken praised Sanders’ growing command, faster processing and better grasp of offensive concepts.
Sanders, a fifth-round 2025 draftee, played eight games (seven starts), completing 56.6% of passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and ten interceptions.
Monken said the staff’s focus on timing and diagnostics is paying off as the Browns prepare for the 2026 season.

1 / 4