Todd Monken Receives Clear Request After Shedeur Sanders Announcement

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Todd Monken Receives Clear Request After Shedeur Sanders Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Shubham Bajpai | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 4:48 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders was beaten out by Deshaun Watson in an intriguing quarterback battle to become the Cleveland Browns’ QB1. Todd Monken, after evaluating both quarterbacks during the offseason, training camp and preseason, decided to go with Watson over Sanders. This decision by Monken raised serious doubts, as Watson’s contract runs through the 2026 season and he is set to become a free agent, while Sanders offers the Browns a younger option at the position.

Watson is making a comeback to the NFL after nearly two years away from the game, and that was evident in the Browns’ first regular-season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran struggled to find his footing and was kept in check for the majority of the game by the Jaguars.

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (right) and Deshaun Watson take part in a drill.Via Imagn Images

The veteran quarterback threw an interception on the first possession, and things just went downhill from there. Watson did make a little comeback of sorts in the second half, as he finished the game with 205 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Browns fans, following Watson’s disappointing performance, were not happy with Monken. Some were even heard chanting, “We want Shedeur.”

Monken, however, has decided to stick with Watson despite the backlash. The Browns head coach has come out to defend his decision to stick with Watson as he gears up for the Browns’ second regular-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Monken might have named Watson the starter over Sanders, but the calls for Sanders to play keep coming in. This time, it’s Robert Griffin III, who has urged Monken and the Browns to play Sanders. Griffin made this request via X, saying, “The Cleveland Browns need to start Shedeur Sanders at QB.”

The Cleveland Browns need to start Shedeur Sanders at QB.

They played and coached against the Jaguars like they didn’t believe they had a chance to win with Deshaun Watson at QB. pic.twitter.com/pWmR0kJzxs
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 17, 2026

“They played and coached against the Jaguars like they didn’t believe they had a chance to win with Deshaun Watson at QB.”

It’s evident that time is running out for Watson after his poor performance against the Jaguars. The game against the Buccaneers could be his last opportunity to save his job, as Sanders waits in the background to lead the Browns if the team decides to make a change at quarterback.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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