Browns' Monken holds QB competition open after minicamp
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken kept the starting quarterback competition open following the team's voluntary minicamp. Monken told Cleveland radio station 92.3 The Fan that it remains premature to name a starter after three days on the field. He emphasized letting the competition play out while all candidates receive opportunities.
The Browns return Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson for the 2026 season. Sanders assumed the starting role in Week 12 last season and held it for the remainder after two additional starts. Gabriel shifted to backup duties while Watson stayed on the physically unable to perform list despite a 21-day practice window opening in December. Monken, hired in January, plans a new offensive system and prefers one quarterback to emerge as the clear leader.
During the media-open practice at minicamp on April 21, 2026, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio, Watson led most quarterback rotations, though the overall plan allocated more reps to Sanders. The Browns went 5-12 last season and selected quarterback Taylen Green in the sixth round of last week's NFL Draft. General manager Andrew Berry stated in February at the NFL Scouting Combine that no rush exists to settle the position.
Organized team activities begin in mid-May, followed by mandatory minicamp in June and training camp in July.
