Yesterday, the Cleveland Browns finally found their next franchise HC: former Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken. The Browns went through a long process marked by candidates dropping out of the race and some confusing decisions, but they have their guy, and Monken will lead the Browns in its new era of football. Before that happens, the team needs to fix one thing first.
Deshaun Watson Could Compete for QB1 as Shedeur Sanders Remains Front-Runner
The Browns must figure out what they will do at QB, and although Monken is a great person to make that decision, the options are very limited.
Currently, on the Browns roster, the QBs are 2026 Pro Bowler Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Bailey Zappe, and Deshaun Watson. The Browns can very well add to this QB room, and they should this offseason. But, if Monken does go with one of the options already on the roster, Sanders may be the clear choice, but it seems Watson is also in play.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot spoke on 92.3 The Fan, and she spoke on Watson’s chances for QB1 in the Browns:
“So, he knows what Deshaun Watson is capable of when healthy. And we also know this about Todd Monken: he’s all about the mobile dual-threat QB. Can Deshaun even run anymore like that, coming off of two ruptured achilles? We don’t know, but he will have a chance to show what he can do.”
“(Monken) knows what Deshaun Watson is capable of when healthy. He’s all about the mobile dual threat QB. Can Deshaun even run anymore like that? We don’t know but he will have a chance to show what he can do.”
📞@MaryKayCabot on #Browns QBs heading into next season pic.twitter.com/b3En7aPSco
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) January 29, 2026
Back in 2022, when the Browns traded for and paid Watson, it was a horrible experience in the Browns. Watson looked like a shell of himself; the decision to trade for him was heavily scrutinized amid allegations against him, and it completely destroyed any progress the franchise had made under Kevin Stefanski.
With a new HC in place and so much uncertainty at QB, it’s not surprising that Watson is in play for QB1, but as Cabot mentions later in the clip, Sanders will also have a chance for the QB opening in 2026.
Time will tell if the Browns end up going in the trade market, free agency, or the NFL Draft for another QB option, but if Monken wants all the options going into the pre-season, the Browns should add at least one more QB to fight for the starting spot.
