Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken has outlined a clear timeline for the team’s quarterback competition, ending months of uncertainty that stretched from the offseason program into training camp. Monken, speaking to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, confirmed that both Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders will each start a preseason game, with the subsequent week of practice determining the starter for the regular-season opener.
The plan represents a structured approach to a decision Monken initially hoped to finalize before the offseason program concluded. Instead, the evaluation extended through the summer, reflecting the complexity of choosing between a veteran with limited recent availability and a first-year player who exceeded expectations.
Watson, acquired in a blockbuster Trade in 2022, has appeared in just 19 games over three seasons. He has not taken a snap since October 2024 after suffering a second Achilles tear, an injury that has significantly disrupted his trajectory in Cleveland. His availability and form remain central questions for a franchise that invested heavily in his acquisition.
Sanders, meanwhile, arrived with immediate credibility. The rookie earned Pro Bowl recognition despite starting only seven games, completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His production accelerated the competition, forcing the coaching staff to weigh proven pedigree against emerging potential.
Under Monken’s framework, the two quarterbacks will alternate starts in the first two preseason contests. Performance in those games, combined with practice execution the following week, will dictate who lines up under center on August 15 against the Chicago Bears and August 22 versus the Buffalo Bills. The leading candidate is then expected to start the finale on August 27 against the New England Patriots, effectively serving as a dress rehearsal for Week 1.
The timeline injects much-needed clarity into Cleveland’s most critical roster decision. For a team seeking stability at the game’s most important position, the coming weeks represent a definitive audition. The outcome will shape not only the immediate offensive identity but also the franchise’s direction for the foreseeable future.
