Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken pushed back against a reporter’s attempt to pin him down Monday on the team’s quarterback competition, making clear he had not declared one player superior to the other.
Monken, who joined the Browns this offseason after serving as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, faces an early decision on whether veteran Deshaun Watson or second-year player Shedeur Sanders will start the regular season. Both quarterbacks have taken first-team snaps during training camp as the coaching staff evaluates their progress.
During a media session Monday, Monken fielded several questions about the ongoing battle for the starting job. The discussion intensified when The News-Herald’s Jeff Schudel sought clarification on an earlier remark.
“Did you say Deshaun is better than Shedeur, or did you say Deshaun has gotten better?” Schudel asked.
Monken did not hesitate in his reply.
“Oh, I don’t think I said he’s better than Shedeur. I’m not sure I went that far, but I appreciate you trying to trap me in that [expletive],” he said.
He then expanded on what he had intended to convey earlier in the session, stressing improvement across the board rather than a head-to-head ranking.
“I would just say in general that they’ve all gotten better, and you’ve seen it. You guys are out there. You don’t see the tape. That doesn’t mean you see it, right? Did we look better? Yes. Were there a lot of reasons for that? Yes,” Monken said.
The coach offered specific praise for both players’ recent work in practice.
“I thought both played very well. After the first series that Deshaun went, hell, Shedeur went in … and ripped three or four throws and was confident, had a good base underneath him, got the ball out. Like, it was fun to watch irrespective of the defense. Just the decision-making,” Monken said.
He closed the exchange by underscoring the distinct strengths each quarterback brings.
“So, no, I wasn’t saying he was better. Each of them are better at certain things than the other.”
Sanders, selected by the Browns in the fifth round of last year’s draft, stepped into the starting role for the final seven games of the previous season after Dillon Gabriel. He posted a 3-4 record in those starts. Over eight total appearances, Sanders completed passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, spent his first six NFL seasons with the Houston Texans before joining Cleveland. Injuries limited him in his early years with the Browns, and he missed all of last season recovering from surgery on a re-ruptured right Achilles tendon. He has returned healthy this summer and is competing directly with Sanders for the starting nod.
Monken has indicated both quarterbacks will start one preseason game as part of a planned rotation. He said a clearer picture of the regular-season starter will not emerge until after those contests.
The coach’s sharp response Monday highlighted the careful language surrounding the competition. Monken has repeatedly emphasized collective improvement and individual strengths rather than ranking one player above the other. Camp observers note that both quarterbacks have shown sharper decision-making and more consistent mechanics as practices have progressed.
Watson’s experience and arm talent remain points of discussion among team personnel, while Sanders has drawn attention for his poise and ability to deliver the ball quickly under pressure. Monken’s staff continues to evaluate how each player manages the offense in different situations.
With the preseason schedule approaching, the Browns remain in evaluation mode. Monken has made clear the decision will rest on more than any single practice or comment. The final determination, he has said, will come after both players receive meaningful snaps in exhibition games.
The exchange with the reporter underscored Monken’s preference for precise language when discussing the two quarterbacks. He has consistently steered conversations toward shared progress and complementary skills rather than definitive comparisons.
That approach appears likely to continue until the coaching staff settles on a starter for the regular season.
