The Todd Monken era in Cleveland officially hit the practice field recently as the Browns opened their first session of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) under the new head coach. Players suited in shells and shorts filled the facility in Berea, marking the true beginning of the 2026 season preparation -- and the start of what promises to be the most scrutinized quarterback competition in franchise history.
For the first time since Monken was hired to replace Kevin Stefanski, the Browns coaching staff saw their roster in live action. While these early spring practices are non-contact and far from the intensity of training camp, they represent the foundation on which the 2026 season will be built. The central question looming over every drill, every rep, every huddle is clear: Who will be under center when the Browns open the season?
A New Voice, A New Vision
Monken arrived in Cleveland with a reputation as one of the NFL's sharpest offensive minds. After orchestrating the league's most explosive passing attack as offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens, he inherits a Browns roster that General Manager Andrew Berry has aggressively reshaped this offseason.
The front office added veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson in a high-stakes trade that has dominated headlines, but the quarterback room looks dramatically different than many anticipated. second-year Shedeur Sanders -- drafted with the No. 2 overall pick -- has turned what many assumed would be a bridge year for Watson into a legitimate training camp battle.
Both quarterbacks took first-team reps during the opening OTA session, according to sources at the facility. Monken is keeping the competition open, allowing each signal-caller to work with the starters and the second unit. The head coach's philosophy has been consistent throughout the spring: the best player will play, regardless of contract status or draft capital.
"Competition brings out the best in everyone," Monken said after practice, in his first public comments since OTAs began. "We have talented players in that room, and it's my job to put them in position to succeed. We'll evaluate every rep, every decision, every throw."
The Watson Factor
Deshaun Watson enters the 2026 season with something to prove. The former Pro Bowl quarterback showed flashes of elite form last year but struggled with consistency behind an injury-plagued offensive line. Working with the first-team offense during OTAs, Watson displayed the arm strength and mobility that made him a top-five quarterback earlier in his career.
The supporting cast around him is arguably the best it has been since he arrived in Cleveland. The offensive line features stability at multiple spots, including guard Elgton Jenkins and tackles Dawand Jones and Tytus Howard. The receiving corps, headlined by Jerry Jeudy and supplemented by Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley, and Tylan Wallace, gives the quarterback plenty of weapons. Running back Quinshon Judkins, taken in the second round of the draft, adds a dynamic element to the backfield alongside Ahmani Marshall and Dylan Sampson.
But the clock is ticking. Watson, 30 years old, has not played a full 17-game season at his peak level in several years. If the Browns are to justify their investment, this season needs to be the year he returns to form. OTAs provide the first opportunity to build chemistry with the new-look offense, and Watson has reportedly spent extra time after practice working with his receivers on timing routes and option adjustments.
The Rookie's Rise
Shedeur Sanders has been the story of Cleveland's offseason. The No. 2 overall pick arrived with immense expectations and, through the first OTA session, has done nothing to diminish them. The rookie completed several impressive throws during team drills, including a deep ball to Isaiah Bond that drew audible reactions from teammates on the sideline.
Sanders exhibits a calm demeanor that belies his age, and he has earned respect in the locker room by arriving early and staying late. His athleticism and arm talent are evident, but the adjustment to NFL speed remains a work in progress. Defensive backs in the NFL close faster than anything he faced in college, and he had one pass nearly intercepted by cornerback Denzel Ward during the session.
Monken has structured the offense to take advantage of Sanders's mobility, incorporating bootlegs and play-action passes that allow him to use his legs. The rookie also showed comfort working with tight end Harold Fannin Jr., a versatile weapon who could be a safety valve in the intermediate passing game.
The question is whether Sanders will be ready by Week 1. The coaching staff has not indicated a timeline for a decision, though Monken noted the competition will extend through training camp and into the preseason.
"Both guys are working hard, learning the offense, and making plays," Monken said. "We're in no rush. We'll let this play out over the summer."
The Quarterback Room Depth
Beyond the two headliners, the Browns have intriguing depth at quarterback. Dillon Gabriel, selected in the fifth round of the 2026 draft, has impressed coaches with his quick processing and accuracy. Taylen Green, an undrafted free agent, rounds out the room. While neither is expected to challenge for the starting job, both will have opportunities in preseason games.
Berry has quietly assembled one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the league, ensuring the Browns have options at the most important position in sports. That depth gives the coaching staff flexibility when evaluating Watson and Sanders.
Defensive Identity Under Rutenberg
While the offense dominates headlines, the Browns defense has its own storylines under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg. The unit returns star pass rusher Myles Garrett, one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. Mason Graham, the team's first-round pick out of Michigan, joins the interior defensive line rotation alongside Maliek Collins and Mike Hall Jr.
The secondary is formidable with cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell and safety Grant Delpit. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah remains the heart of the defense, playing with the speed and physicality that earned him a Pro Bowl selection.
Rutenberg has implemented a scheme emphasizing pressure and coverage discipline, and early returns from OTAs have been positive. The defense has had moments of dominance against the offense, which Monken welcomes.
"Iron sharpens iron," Monken said. "When your defense is giving you looks that challenge you, it makes the offense better. We have a talented group on both sides of the ball."
Looking Ahead
The Browns will hold a total of 10 OTA sessions over the next three weeks, followed by a mandatory minicamp in mid-June. Training camp opens in late July in West Virginia, and the preseason begins in August.
For a franchise that has experienced its share of turmoil, the start of OTAs represents a fresh beginning. Todd Monken has brought new energy to Berea, and the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will define the narrative of the 2026 season.
One thing is certain: Cleveland is no longer a team in transition. The Browns have a clear plan, a talented roster, and a coaching staff committed to winning now. The first step of that journey began on the practice field this week -- and all eyes are on the quarterback battle that will determine where this season ultimately goes.
As the old saying goes: if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have any. But for the first time in years, the Browns may actually have two quarterbacks who can both win games. Finding out which one is the answer starts now.