Todd Monken provides a key update on the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback battle prior to Saturday’s preseason clash vs. the Bills.
The Cleveland Browns expect to resolve their starting quarterback competition early next week, giving head coach Todd Monken a defined timetable after months of evaluation.
Shedeur Sanders will start Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Buffalo Bills. Deshaun Watson started the Browns’ opener, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
The Browns divided first-team practice work between Sanders and Watson this week. Sanders handled those reps Monday and Wednesday, Watson took them Tuesday, and both worked with the starters during Thursday’s joint practice with Buffalo.
Saturday now gives the second-year standout quarterback out of Colorado his preseason opportunity to direct the offense on the opening possession. Watson played the entire first half vs. Chicago, while Sanders entered during the third quarter. He completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards and threw an interception in his first preseason action.
In an article published Saturday on NFL Trade Rumors’ website, Wyatt Grindley shared Monken’s latest remarks from the first-year Browns coach’s interview with broadcaster Andrew Siciliano.
“I don’t anticipate the quarterback decision going past early of next week,” Monken told Siciliano.
The current timetable positions Saturday’s game as the final major evaluation before Cleveland selects its starter. The Browns finish the preseason Thursday night vs. the New England Patriots, leaving limited time for an extended competition.
An early-week decision would also allow the winner to take control of the offense before regular-season preparations intensify. The Browns open the 2026 NFL season on the road vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Monken has said the coaching staff is assessing how each candidate commands the Browns offense rather than judging only the result of individual plays. Saturday should offer another measure of how Sanders handles that responsibility with the starting group.
Watson established the opening benchmark in Chicago. Sanders now gets his chance to respond vs. Buffalo, giving Monken one final game evaluation before choosing the Browns’ regular-season starter.
The Cleveland Browns expect to resolve their starting quarterback competition early next week, giving head coach Todd Monken a defined timetable after months of evaluation. Shedeur Sanders will start Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Buffalo Bills. Deshaun Watson started the Browns’ opener, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
