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One of Todd Monken’s priorities as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns is figuring out who will be his starting quarterback for Week 1.
Monken has three options to look at this season – Deshaun Watson, who missed last season due to injury; Dillon Gabriel, the team’s third-round pick in 2025; and Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ starter at the end of last season.
Monken hopes one of these players can distinguish themselves in the long run. But all eyes will be on Sanders, who started the final seven games of the 2025 season for the Browns, to emerge as Monken’s creator.
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Todd Monken talks to the media after being introduced as head coach of the Cleveland Browns during a press conference at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus Feb. 3, 2026, Berea, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
During the NFL Scouting Combine this week, Monken was asked about his quarterbacks, specifically whether he sees Sanders as the team’s starter.
“I think what you’re seeing is elite play,” Monken said, according to the New York Post. “That’s up to him. You saw it, we saw it. You saw it in college. You saw it on tape last year. Sure, there’s a ways to go, but what rookie doesn’t? What first-year player doesn’t have a long way to go?
Sanders went 3-4 in those seven starts, while Gabriel went 1-5 after taking over for Joe Flacco, who was traded to the rival Cincinnati Bengals after starter Joe Burrow was injured.
It is worth noting that the Baltimore Ravens, with Monken as the offensive coordinator under former head coach John Harbaugh, wanted to draft Sanders to back up Lamar Jackson, the team’s second quarterback MVP. However, Sanders has made it known that he wants to go somewhere where he has a chance to be the team’s starter.
Todd Monken speaks to the media after being introduced as head coach of the Cleveland Browns during a press conference at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus Feb. 3, 2026, Berea, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Sanders wasn’t going to jump Jackson on the depth chart in 2025 and beyond, so the Browns ended up taking him in the fifth round after a shocking fall down the draft board last April.
Watson is in the final year of the disastrous $250 million, fully guaranteed contract for the former Houston Texans signal caller. While playing in three Pro Bowls during his time in Houston, Watson has only played in 17 games during his time in Cleveland, including a suspension due to his injury.
However, Monken believes that a player who has shown great talent on the field, no matter when, deserves a shot.
“I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we can get that out of them again,” Monken explained. “I think that’s the way you have to look at every player. I’ll let it play out.”
Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns stands for the national anthem before a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium Aug. 8, 2025, Charlotte, NC. (Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
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In his 17 games with the Browns, Watson is 9-10, including 1-6 in 2024 before an Achilles injury ended his season.
Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his seven games for Cleveland last season. He was eventually named to the Pro Bowl.
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