Cleveland Browns Face Quarterback Competition 2.0 Under New Coach Todd Monken
When the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, was hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns for the 2026 NFL season, an interesting encounter unfolded. The Browns' no-longer-a-rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, personally met with Monken. A viral video captured the moment they shook hands, with Monken pulling Sanders' shoulder and remarking, "Hey, we tried to draft your a** last year for God's sake! It all worked out. You remember that, right?"
Sanders chuckled and replied, "That's what I was about to tell you..." Monken responded, "Someday, we'll get a chance to talk about that," hinting at future discussions. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn when Monken recently addressed the quarterback situation for the upcoming season.
Monken Declares Deshaun Watson Has Legitimate Shot at Starter Role
In a recent interview at the NFL Combine, Monken stated he would not predetermine the starting quarterback for 2026. He emphasized that veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has not played since 2024, will receive a legitimate opportunity to compete for the starter's role. Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot shared an interview clip on X where Monken explained his reasoning.
"When you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level," Monken said. "I think you're always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of them again. But I think that's how you should look at every player. I'm gonna let it play out."
He elaborated with an analogy: "I think it'd be completely unfair, just like it would be in any grassroots setting: at a history exam, all the students walk in, and before they've actually given any exam, you give them a grade. Well, how would you give them a grade? Based on male, female, race, how they look, how they're dressed? I think that's unfair."
Monken added, "Now, you're gonna have some preconceived notions, obviously, because we have prior evidence. But I don't decide who plays. The players decide who plays. I've never decided who plays."
History of Quarterback Turmoil in Cleveland
This announcement sets the stage for what could be labeled Quarterback Competition 2.0 in Cleveland. The team experienced significant turmoil during the 2025 season when six quarterbacks vied for the starting position. Despite the intense competition, the season ended disappointingly with only five wins and twelve losses, placing the Browns last in the AFC North.
The 2025 quarterback battle featured veteran Joe Flacco, who suffered a mid-season injury; rookie Dillion Gabriel, who struggled to adapt; and Shedeur Sanders, who faced tough matchups with limited acclimatization time. Additionally, Kenny Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders before the season, and Tyler Huntley was released prior to kickoff.
Questions arose about whether head coach Kevin Stefanski or the front office was at fault for the team's struggles. With Stefanski now replaced by Monken, the quarterback competition has reignited. Currently, Sanders, Gabriel, and Watson are the primary contenders for the coveted starting quarterback role.
Future Implications and Speculation
The situation remains fluid, as the Browns hold the sixth overall pick in the upcoming draft. There is speculation that the front office might use this pick to select another high-profile rookie quarterback, further intensifying the competition. Only time will reveal how this quarterback saga unfolds, but one thing is clear: the battle for the starting role in Cleveland is far from over.
This development highlights the ongoing challenges and strategic decisions facing the Browns as they aim to rebuild and compete in the NFL. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring training camp and preseason performances to see who ultimately earns the starting nod under Coach Monken's leadership.
