The decision on Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback will not come this week.
Browns head coach Todd Monken stated on June 9 that he is unlikely to name a starting quarterback by the end of the mandatory minicamp on June 11. This means that the competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will continue into training camp, where the true evaluation will take place.
This timeline is significant for a team that acquired Watson in a 2022 trade and invested a first-round pick on Sanders in 2025. A delay in decision signals that no player is clearly establishing himself as the undisputed starter at this stage.
Monken's remarks, widely reported by local media and major outlets covering the minicamp, effectively push the naming of a starter past the summer break. The Browns will finish their three mandatory practices on Thursday, then observe the NFL-mandated offseason break before training camp begins in July.
The stakes are clear.
Watson, the 2017 first-round pick, has had a productive NFL career and brought experience when acquired by Cleveland. In 2025, he started 10 games, completing 110 of 185 passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. Sanders, the 2025 first-round pick and a promising young talent, completed 120 of 212 attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight games. While Sanders threw more passes per game and showed more mobility with 169 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, his turnover rate was considerably higher than Watson's.
However, this competition is being overseen by Monken in his second season as head coach, who is focused not only on past statistics but also on development and fit within the offensive system.
Both quarterbacks posted completion percentages below 60% in 2025--Watson at 59.5% and Sanders at 56.6%--marks that reflect an inconsistent passing game. The Browns' passing attack ranked near the bottom of the league in efficiency last season, contributing to the team's overall average of just 17.2 points per game. In this context, there is little urgency to rush the decision to name a starter.
Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer commented on June 5 about the development of both quarterbacks during organized team activities (OTAs). "I think the guys are starting to get a little more comfortable with the system, which is great," Switzer said. He also mentioned that the coaching staff was still installing plays and had just begun two-minute drills that week, emphasizing how incomplete the preparation is at this stage.
This ongoing offensive installation underscores why Monken is holding off on naming a starter. The quarterbacks have yet to fully operate with the complete playbook in live action. Allowing more time aids their development and evaluation.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland's leading receiver in 2025 with 50 receptions for 602 yards and two touchdowns, spoke about the contrasting strengths of Watson and Sanders during his June 5 press conference. "You know, they each bring a different skill set," Jeudy said. "Deshaun, big body, great hands... Shedeur, very quick twitch."
Jeudy also acknowledged the importance of naming the starter early enough to build chemistry. "It's important to figure out who the starting quarterback would be just to have that repetition before the first game." With the 2026 season opener approaching in September, each practice without a definitive starter costs valuable timing and synchronization for the offense.
Monken's choice to extend the timeline reflects a belief that a fair evaluation demands meaningful practice reps, preseason games, and competition against the first-string defense. The limited drills during minicamp do not provide sufficient clarity for such a critical decision.
Shedeur Sanders, when asked on June 9 about the quarterback competition, communicated humility and team focus. NBC Sports quoted him saying, "I'm not a judge," indicating his understanding that the final call is up to the coaching staff. Sanders, who is entering his second NFL season, knows the importance of earning trust on the field rather than claiming the job prematurely.
Deshaun Watson brings veteran experience and demonstrated better ball security in 2025 with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 7:2, compared to Sanders' 7:10. Watson's steady performance and size advantage position him as a safer choice if ball management is prioritized.
Conversely, Sanders offers youth, athleticism, and upside. His 169 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in just eight games showcase his dynamic mobility, a facet the Browns may find valuable. Sanders has the potential for significant growth in his second year, a season when many quarterbacks make their biggest leaps.
Jeudy echoed this confidence in Sanders' progression. "Just being more comfortable and being more confident, that comes with repetition, having that first year to that second year jump," Jeudy said. Whether Sanders can translate that into improved play against starting defenses in training camp remains the key question.
The Browns' quarterback depth chart also includes Dillon Gabriel and rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green. Gabriel, a 2025 rookie, started 10 games last season posting 937 passing yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, making him a solid option and known quantity behind the top two competitors. Green is viewed as a developmental player who will likely take time to contribute.
Financially, the team is committed to Watson and Sanders. Watson carries a sizable cap hit following his trade acquisition and contract structure, while Sanders was a costly first-round draft choice. The Browns have $18.57 million in cap space but $116.82 million in dead money, making bringing in another veteran quarterback via free agency or trade impractical. The focus is squarely on the incumbent Watson and the promising Sanders.
The defense, led by defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg and featuring stars like edge rusher Jared Verse, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and cornerback Denzel Ward, has shown the ability to keep games close. The offensive line, bolstered by first-round tackle Spencer Fano, and the skill positions--anchored by receivers Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, and running back Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for 827 yards and 7 touchdowns last season--provide supporting pieces capable of contributing to success regardless of the quarterback named.
Ultimately, the Browns need a clear and confident starting quarterback to lead the offense effectively. Monken is wisely using the full offseason and preseason to gather data, evaluate progress, and avoid rushing into a decision that could hinder the team's performance.
The expectation is Monken will name the starting quarterback sometime during the second week of training camp after sufficient live practices and possibly preseason game action. If Watson maintains his ball security advantage, he may win the nod. However, if Sanders elevates his accuracy and decision-making while maintaining his dynamic play, he could claim the starting role.
For now, the Browns remain patient, trusting the process, and giving both quarterbacks a fair shot to win the job on merit.
The quarterback battle will continue through training camp, and as excitement builds for the 2026 NFL season, Cleveland fans can look forward to a well-informed decision backed by comprehensive evaluation.
Monken said what he said. The timeline is set. Now the quarterbacks go to work.