Browns QB Battle: Still Undecided

As of mid-June 2026, neither Deshaun Watson nor Shedeur Sanders has been named the starter — and head coach Todd Monken is deliberately keeping it open.

Here's where things stand (from the Cleveland Browns page and both player pages):

• Monken will not decide until training camp or preseason. He said on the final day of minicamp (June 10): "I'm not going to name a No. 1." Both quarterbacks rotated first-team reps evenly across the three-day minicamp, and Monken emphasized he needs to see full pads and live scrimmages before deciding.
• Watson's side: He confirmed he's fully healthy for the first time since his 2023 shoulder injury (nearly 1,000 days). He was viewed as having a slight early edge at late May OTAs, especially on downfield throws. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler sees Watson as having the inside track.
• Sanders' side: He's been turning heads. NFL insider Cameron Wolfe reported Sanders' "aura" has impressed the coaching staff, and ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi observed him trending upward by mid-June with improved footwork and processing. His 2025 rookie stats (1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs in 7 starts) were modest, but his development arc has Monken paying attention.

The bottom line: This is a genuine, deadlocked competition that will stretch into training camp. Until then, the entire Browns offense is a volatile fantasy projection. Watson probably starts on experience if you had to bet today, but Sanders has made it a real fight.