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Browns Keep QB1 Unsettled as Monken Extends WatsonSanders Competition

Monken will wait for live camp and preseason reps to judge who should start, leaving the team to weigh Watson’s guaranteed contract against Sanders’ low‑cost rookie deal.

Overview

  • Monken said Tuesday he will not name a Week 1 starter after mandatory minicamp and plans to rotate first‑team reps to gather more evaluation data.
  • The coach’s day‑by‑day plan had Shedeur Sanders take the ones one day, Deshaun Watson the next, then split reps to see how each performs in the same work sets.
  • General manager Andrew Berry publicly praised Sanders’ offseason progress, saying the rookie has made “incredible strides” in command and accuracy.
  • Watson remains a contender because of his experience but missed 2025 after two Achilles surgeries and carries a fully guaranteed final year that complicates roster decisions.
  • The competition is now expected to run into training camp and preseason game action, with the outcome likely to shape short‑term performance expectations, roster moves and 2027 draft planning.