Browns QB Competition Takes Unexpected Twist

Originally posted on TWSN | By Garret Staples | Last updated Aug 12, 2026 11:58 AM ET

Deshaun Watson Versus Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken stated, per Yahoo Sports, that the plan for Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders is to each start a preseason game before the Browns make the call on who will be the starting quarterback for the regular season.

Todd Monken went on to say: “They’re each gonna start a game,” Monken told reporters.” After those two games, then I think we’ll be closer to at least having a better idea. One’s gonna start one game and the other one’s gonna start the other.”

Monken did not know yet which quarterback would play in which game. Monken is either uncertain or using a bit of gamesmanship on which quarterback will start for each preseason game. The Browns open up preseason against the Chicago Bears. The next preseason matchup will be against the Buffalo Bills.

Shedeur Sanders has displayed bad body language at practice while Deshaun Watson has taken first-team reps, and there's growing belief that he'll be traded, per Aaron Goldhammer and Justin Cooper.

Could the 49ers take a flier on the second-year QB? ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/j3Ski5TGnA
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) August 10, 2026

What Browns Fans Should Want

With the Deshaun Watson $230 million guaranteed contract debacle coming to an end after this season. One would think no way Watson could be the future signal-caller in Cleveland. Between shoulder and Achilles injuries, along with an 11-game suspension in 2022, Watson has rarely seen the football field after signing the blockbuster, market-setting $230 million guaranteed contract.

Watson has only played 19 games in 5 seasons after being traded to Cleveland. With the expiring contract and if Shedeur Sanders matches Deshaun or is slightly better, the Browns should move towards the future starting Shedeur Sanders, evaluating a full season sample size to see if Sanders is the future and a viable starting option at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. If not, the Browns can take a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft if you don’t feel Sanders is the future.

With roster turnover, starting a veteran on an expiring contract does not make much sense. Sanders is under contract through 2028 on a 5th-round contract. If Sanders shows he’s the future during the regular season, then you can use the extra money saved at the quarterback position to build around Sanders and the offense for the Browns to be successful moving forward in the Todd Monken era.

This article first appeared on TWSN and was syndicated with permission.

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