Andrew Buller-Russ
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is taking over a roster that already has three quarterbacks on the roster. Yet, none of them may be the team’s starter in 2026. Between Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel, could the Browns already have their franchise QB?
Monken made it clear during his press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Browns want to give their quarterbacks a chance to unlock a new level of performance with his guidance. That includes Watson, who’s entering the final year of a five-year, $230 million contract.
While Monken is intrigued by the three-time Pro Bowl QB’s traits, he called Sanders’ playmaking ability “elite” while speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. Monken also left the door open to Sanders, a fifth-round pick in 2025, becoming the team’s starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
“Sure he can. I think what you see is elite playmaking ability — that’s in him. You’ve seen it, we’ve seen it. You saw it in college. You saw it on tape last year. Sure, there’s a ways to go, but what rookie isn’t? I mean, what first-year player doesn’t have a long way to go? So, I’m excited to get started with him and all of our quarterbacks and all of our players.”
Todd Monken on Shedeur Sanders
Monken “hopes” to have the team’s QB situation settled by training camp, so the Browns’ starter can get all the first-team reps with the offense.
Still, as intrigued as Monken is with the existing QB room, he also admitted the team will be doing its “due diligence” in evaluating others who could join the group this offseason. After drafting one in the third and another in the fifth round last year, would the Browns really inject another rookie?
Meanwhile, would they want another veteran, either? Watson is a seven-year pro, and both Gabriel and Sanders picked up valuable starting experience last season. Unless they can find a sure-fire starter who’s definitively better than all three, the Browns may be better off rolling with their crew and hoping one of them can emerge from the pack.
Related: Cleveland Browns’ Todd Monken Excited to Give Deshaun Watson a Fresh Start
