Browns HC Todd Monken drops hint that could determine QB battle winner

Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders? Those are the two quarterbacks most likely to be named the starter for the Cleveland Browns. While head coach Todd Monken isn’t in a hurry to announce the winner of the camp battle, he did offer some insight that may determine who ends up being named the starter come Week 1.

While talking with media members on Wednesday, the 60-year-old head coach admitted that the quarterback who gets the most reps with the first unit in training camp is more than likely going to win the starting job, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. While that doesn’t guarantee anything, this could be a way for fans to gauge who the favorite is well before the announcement is made.

“As camp goes and you start to see less rotation,” Monken said. “You start to see individual players, in every position, get more reps with the ones. It’s a pretty good sign they’re a one.

#Browns Todd Monken acknowledged that the more you see a QB with the ones, the more likely it is he’ll be the starter pic.twitter.com/vNty56cyQL

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 29, 2026

On the first day of training camp, Deshaun Watson only took reps with the ones, per ESPN Cleveland. Shedeur Sanders got some work with the ones as well, but based on Monken’s comments, it appears Watson might be in an early lead for the starting job.

The 30-year-old quarterback completed 12 of his 22 pass attempts while throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns in 7/7 and 11/11 drills on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Sanders went 16 for 19 in those same drills. He also failed to record a touchdown, but didn’t turn the ball over either.

Todd Monken has already made it clear that both quarterbacks will get their fair shot at earning the starting job in Cleveland. It will likely take most of training camp and at least two preseason games before the decision is officially made.

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