Overview
- The Browns have not named a Week 1 starter and Monken says the team will evaluate the quarterbacks in live, padded practices and the preseason before deciding.
- Practice tracking through six sessions shows Shedeur Sanders posting a higher completion rate and cleaner turnover numbers (93 of 132, 70.5%, six TDs, one INT) while Deshaun Watson has struggled with interceptions (76 of 126, 60.3%, three TDs, six INTs).
- Monken confirmed Dillon Gabriel has 'earned' increased first‑team reps after strong work in camp, making him a meaningful third option on the depth chart.
- Monken pushed back on a reporter’s exact framing of preseason starts but did confirm both Sanders and Watson will play in preseason with game reps used to sort the race.
- Outside signals are rising pressure on the decision: prediction‑market odds moved Sanders closer to Watson, former QB Robert Griffin III publicly endorsed Sanders, and Watson’s fully guaranteed, high‑value contract and injury history add weight to whichever choice the team makes.