ESPN insider Mina Kimes made a case for the Cleveland Browns’ chance at success as long as they figure out the quarterback position.
A 19-13 win in head coach Todd Monken’s first-ever preseason game could put the Cleveland Browns back on the right track. At the moment, veteran Deshaun Watson and sophomore Shedeur Sanders are in a pitched battle for the starting quarterback role. Depending on who wins the job, Monken’s first season could go in any number of directions. One ESPN insider, Mina Kimes, feels like Cleveland has the pieces in place for success. ESPN’s NFL X (formerly Twitter) page shared Kimes’ take that the Browns were “a quarterback away.”
“[The Browns] really are a quarterback away.”
Do you agree with @minakimes? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/o8bzL2byO4
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 17, 2026
“[The Browns] really are a quarterback away,” Kimes said on Monday.
Watson and Sanders played multiple drives in the Browns’ win over the San Francisco 49ers last week. Both signal callers showed flashes, yet Watson had the better evening. The former Pro Bowler is entering the final season of his fully guaranteed $230 million deal, and this season could be a showcase for a future starting job. If Watson can navigate the Browns to a respectable early season record, who knows what could happen in a wild AFC.
However, if Watson falters, Monken could turn to Sanders. After all, the new Browns head coach was a part of a Baltimore Ravens staff that looked to draft Sanders last year to potentially back up Lamar Jackson. However, Cleveland took the ex-Colorado standout in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. He also started the last few weeks of the 2025 campaign, leading to a Pro Bowl nod. Whether it’s Watson, Sanders, another 2025 draftee in Dillon Gabriel, or Taylen Green, a sixth-round pick from this past April’s draft, Monken will need an answer at quarterback. The sooner, the better.
A 19-13 win in head coach Todd Monken’s first-ever preseason game could put the Cleveland Browns back on the right track. At the moment, veteran Deshaun Watson and sophomore Shedeur Sanders are in a pitched battle for the starting quarterback role. Depending on who wins the job, Monken’s first season could go in any number of directions.
