Todd Monken breaks silence on Browns’ QB battle and hands Shedeur Sanders major boost at close of minicamp

Mandatory minicamp concluded Thursday, but the Cleveland Browns are no closer to naming a starting quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson remain in competition for the role, and head coach Todd Monken revealed earlier this week that the battle will run through the summer.

Getty

“Once we get to the fall, we’ll have to dissect the reps how we see fit,” he explained.

“I just don’t see it after the way Shedeur has played and Deshaun’s played. They’ve both played well enough to earn the right to compete to start.”

Throughout the Browns’ offseason program, Sanders and Watson have split first-team practice reps.

On Tuesday, Cleveland’s second-year QB took all of the starting reps in 11-on-11 drills, while their $230million veteran worked with the second-team offense.

Roles were reversed on Wednesday, with the two signal callers splitting the starting reps on Thursday.

There has been plenty of noise around the Browns in recent weeks, with many NFL insiders weighing in on the high-profile battle, and some suggesting Watson has the edge.

But at the close of minicamp, Monken offered a boost to Sanders, and revealed he’s seen plenty of growth in a key area.

Shedeur Sanders showing promise as Browns minicamp concludes

“I just think he’s doing a better job, I think he’s being more decisive,” Monken said, in a clip shared by Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan, when asked where he’s seen improvement.

“Now, it’s easy to say: We’re not in pads. It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions, the ball’s coming out of his hands, which he’s going to have to do.

“Not that he doesn’t have playmaking ability, because he does.

Getty

Getty

“But his ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands and eliminate lost-yards plays is going to be huge.

“He has to be able to stack plays and score, which is ultimately the No. 1 thing to do.”

While Monken has suggested both his quarterbacks would be able to play winning football in 2026, both have struggled at times.

Last month, he labelled their play ’embarrassing’ after interceptions were thrown in 7-on-7 drills, without a pass-rush.

His positive message at the close of camp suggests much improvement, especially from Sanders.

Picture has changed in Sanders-Watson quarterback battle

Longtime Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com also noted last week that the former Colorado star has stepped up his game.

Getty

“It appeared for much of the offseason program that Deshaun Watson had the edge over Sanders based on his superior athleticism and experience,” she wrote.

“Sanders seemed to have narrowed the gap the past couple of weeks with his grasp of the playbook and increased efficiency in practice.”

Watson, perhaps, was once the clear favorite to take the starting role in Week 1. But Monken knows the battle is far from over, and Sanders will have a chance to make an impression once the team returns — in pads — for training camp.

Stay up to date on all things NFL across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.