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Browns Will Split Reps as Watson‑Sanders Quarterback Competition Carries Into Camp

Monken is delaying a Week 1 choice to see how Deshaun Watson's recovery compares with Shedeur Sanders' development through padded practices followed by preseason games.

Overview

  • Head coach Todd Monken said Thursday he has not named a Week 1 starter and will split reps between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders in training camp to continue the evaluation.
  • Monken framed both players as starting‑caliber quarterbacks who must be judged in live, padded work because non‑contact minicamp reps do not show how they handle game speed or pressure.
  • Deshaun Watson has not taken a meaningful snap since October 2024 and is returning from two major Achilles surgeries, creating uncertainty over his ability to perform at full game speed.
  • Shedeur Sanders has shown measurable growth this offseason but has only seven career starts with mixed results, raising questions about his readiness to lead the offense full time.
  • Sanders publicly dismissed any tension over Watson's private South Florida workouts and stressed locker‑room unity while the team weighs on‑field performance, roster implications and Watson's guaranteed contract year.