Todd Monken has an important quarterback decision to make after the Cleveland Browns suffered a 34-10 defeat to the Chicago Bears in their preseason opener. Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel all received opportunities, but none managed to completely take control of the competition.
NFL Analyst Questions Deshaun Watson’s Starting Case
Following the game, NFL analyst Sam Monsoon questioned whether Cleveland should consider starting Watson ahead of Sanders in the 2026 season.
Monsoon argued that there was little reason to prefer Watson over the younger Sanders, suggesting that Watson offered less aggression with the football while still carrying the risk of negative plays.
The comments add another layer to Cleveland’s ongoing quarterback competition as Monken evaluates which player can provide the most consistent offense.
Watson vs. Sanders: Preseason Opener Numbers
Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 128 yards and was sacked once against Chicago. Sanders, meanwhile, completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards and threw one interception.
Although Watson produced the stronger statistical performance in the opening game, Sanders remains firmly in the conversation because of his previous experience with the Browns and his potential for further development.
Shedeur Sanders Started Seven Games in 2025
Sanders entered the 2026 season after starting the final seven games of Cleveland’s 2025 campaign as a rookie. That experience could play an important role in Monken’s evaluation.
Watson, meanwhile, missed the entire 2025 season after re-tearing his Achilles tendon. His return to game action therefore remains a major storyline as Cleveland determines how much responsibility he can handle.
Todd Monken Has Not Named His QB1
Monken has yet to officially announce Cleveland’s starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season. The remaining preseason games should give the coaching staff additional opportunities to evaluate Watson, Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
The decision will likely depend on more than preseason statistics. Cleveland will need to consider consistency, decision-making, mobility, health and the ability to lead the offense when determining its QB1.
Browns’ Remaining 2026 Preseason Schedule
- Week 2: Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Venue: Huntington Bank Field
- Week 3: Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots
- Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: Huntington Bank Field
Can Monken Take the Browns Back to the Playoffs?
The Browns hired Todd Monken in January, and he briefly served as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator in 2019. He now faces the challenge of rebuilding an offense that struggled during the previous season.
Cleveland finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record and last reached the playoffs in 2023. The quarterback decision will be one of the biggest factors in determining whether the Browns can improve their fortunes in 2026.
With two preseason games remaining, Watson and Sanders still have time to strengthen their respective cases. Monken’s eventual decision could have a major impact on Cleveland’s season.
Source: Sportskeeda
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