Full Breakdown
Browns Coach Todd Monken Confirms Deshaun Watson as Starter, Keeps Shedeur Sanders as Backup
8/26/2026, 7:58:29 PM
Background & Context
Second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders entered the 2026 preseason after starting seven games as a rookie and earning an alternate Pro Bowl selection. Veteran Deshaun Watson carries a record-breaking five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract signed in March 2022, but his performance in Cleveland has fallen short of expectations. Head coach Todd Monken, hired in 2026, inherited a quarterback competition that began in the offseason and intensified throughout training camp.
Core Event
On Monday, Monken announced that Watson will be the Browns’ Week 1 starter, with Sanders designated the No. 2 quarterback. Neither Watson nor Sanders will take snaps in the team’s final preseason game on Thursday, as the coaching staff opts to give extended reps to third- and fourth-string quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green. Monken explained that the decision reflects the evaluation of the full body of work from the offseason, camp, and preseason practices.
Official Statements & Responses
Monken told reporters that the quarterback competition emphasizing that “every player is a little bit different” and that development timelines vary by position.
Data & Statistics
- Deshaun Watson (career in Cleveland): 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions in 19 games; 61.2 % completion rate; 70 sacks taken; Browns are 9-10 in his starts.
- Shedeur Sanders (rookie season): 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions in eight games (seven starts); 56.6 % completion rate; 23 sacks taken; Browns went 3-4 when he started.
- 2026 preseason totals: Watson 16-27 for 162 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; Sanders 15-22 for 153 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT.
Why It Matters / Impact
Monken’s decision positions Sanders as the primary backup while preserving his development through practice reps and film study. If Watson’s performance mirrors his earlier Cleveland outings, the coaching staff may promote Sanders later in the season, a scenario Monken acknowledged as plausible given Watson’s injury history. The approach also influences the Browns’ draft strategy; the team holds two first-round picks in the 2027 draft, a class expected to feature strong quarterback prospects, potentially shaping future roster decisions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Fan reaction, reported by a left-leaning outlet, describes anger toward Monken for limiting Sanders’ preseason reps and favoring Gabriel. No official response from the Browns organization addresses these fan sentiments, leaving a gap between public perception and the coaching staff’s stated rationale. Additionally, the long-term plan for Sanders—whether he remains the backup throughout the season or is considered for a trade—has not been clarified by team officials.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every player is a little bit different,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “I think Shedeur has done a great job,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “He is certainly more than capable of that,” — Todd Monken, head coach
- “You talk about somebody that really understands the long game, that really, I think, has come to understand the long game,” — Todd Monken, head coach
