The Cleveland Browns’ battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders for the starting quarterback job has taken an unexpected turn. Saturday marked the biggest deviation yet from Cleveland’s evenly split training camp rotation, sparking questions among fans about the reason behind the sudden shift.
Browns Fans Turn on Todd Monken After Deshaun Watson-Shedeur Sanders Twist
Sanders and Watson had been alternating days with the first-team offense since the beginning of camp. The second-year quarterback was scheduled to operate as QB1 on Saturday, which marked Day 10 of Browns training camp.
Before practice began, head coach Todd Monken had indicated that Sanders would receive the majority of the first-team repetitions. Instead, Sanders was moved down to the second-team offense and split those reps with Dillon Gabriel.
Meanwhile, Watson received all of the first-team snaps. ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reported the change, sharing how different Saturday’s practice looked compared with what had been announced beforehand.
“Day 10 of Browns training camp is over,” Oyefusi reported. “On a day when Shedeur Sanders was scheduled to practice with the starting offense, Deshaun Watson took every rep with the No. 1 unit. Sanders split the remaining reps with Dillon Gabriel.”
Day 10 of Browns training camp is over.
On a day when Shedeur Sanders was scheduled to practice with the starting offense, Deshaun Watson took every rep with the No. 1 unit.
Sanders split the remaining reps with Dillon Gabriel.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 8, 2026
According to ESPN Cleveland’s quarterback tracker, Watson ultimately received 34 passing opportunities, compared with 20 for Sanders and 12 for Gabriel. The numbers represented a significant reduction in workload for Sanders on a day when he was initially expected to lead the first-team offense.
The unexpected decision quickly frustrated Browns fans, with many questioning whether Monken was already leaning toward Watson as the team’s preferred starter and wondering why Sanders’ scheduled opportunity was suddenly taken away.
“Monk made his decision DW is the starter. Hopefully it doesn’t break SS spirit,” one fan wrote.
“Day 10 is the day I stopped believing in Todd. What a liar, I respect honesty,” one comment read.
Day 10 is the day I stopped believing in Todd. What a lier, I respect honesty
— More Life With Lavish (@coachlavish) August 8, 2026
“We need an explanation from monken asap,” a fan wrote.
Sanders went 3-4 in seven starts last season, throwing for 1,400 yards with 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He finished with a 63.0 PFN Impact Grade and was ranked 37th among quarterbacks, which was second-worst in the league behind only Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward.
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Following his rookie-season performance, Sanders entered training camp with an opportunity to compete for the QB1 job, which is why many fans were surprised to see his workload reduced so abruptly.
“This is crazy from Todd Monken. I guess he disagrees with everyone about Deshaun Watson, sad for my boy Shedeur, crazy….” another reply read.
“That was weird,” a fan added.
That was weird.
— LouisianaRecruits (@louisianathlete) August 8, 2026
“I dont understand the reason for lying tho…. Just say watson is getting the reps. Lie for what?” a user wrote.
Monken was not available to address the quarterback rotation after practice because he only speaks to the media before sessions.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot later reported on X that a Browns team spokesperson explained there were specific personnel groupings the coaching staff wanted to evaluate with Watson during Saturday’s practice.
However, until Monken provides a more detailed explanation, Sanders’ reduced workload is likely to remain a talking point. The unexpected shift has already generated frustration among fans, and the Browns could face further backlash if the coaching staff does not provide greater clarity about the quarterback competition.
