The Cleveland Browns have still given no official answer. With Deshaun Watson returning from an injury and Shedeur Sanders getting the starting role for the final seven games of the 2025 season, they decided a full-fledged QB battle was the best way to decide the starter.
But as the second week of the preseason continues, new head coach Todd Monken hasn’t made his choice yet. However, he’s finally given fans an approximate timeline for when they will have an answer.
Todd Monken Is Nearing a Decision Between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders
Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been nothing short of a disaster. He missed all of last season and has suited up in just 19 games across four seasons, recording 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Unfortunately, Sanders hasn’t been much better either. Drafted with the 144th overall pick, he got the starting nod after both Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel had already gotten some burn. But in his time under center, he tallied just 1,400 passing yards and 7 touchdowns, while giving up 10 interceptions.
As a result, he finished second-to-last on PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric. But with no real alternative, Monken chose to move forward with either of the two options. So far, they’ve both gotten reps with the starting unit during training camp on alternate days.
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The same formula continues with the preseason as well. Last week, the former Houston Texans star was the starter, while Sanders came in later during the game. This time around, against the Buffalo Bills, the Colorado product gets his shot.
“It is possible, [but] I do not anticipate it,” Monken revealed on the official pregame show on the University Hospitals Browns Radio Network about being undecided on his quarterback going into next week’s final preseason game.
Going a step further, he finally provided a timeline for Browns fans to look forward to, adding, “I do not anticipate the QB decision going past early next week.”
“I do not anticipate the QB decision going past early of next week.” @Browns head coach Todd Monken on the official pregame show on the University Hospitals Browns Radio Network pic.twitter.com/L0t3udenJX
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 22, 2026
Last week, Watson was the far superior quarterback against the Chicago Bears, completing 11 of his 15 passing attempts for 126 yards.
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Sanders, on the other hand, only completed 6 of his 11 attempts, tallying 79 passing yards but costing the Browns an interception.
Unless he can reopen the conversation with a stellar outing against the Bills, the growing sentiment is that Sanders is losing the race to Watson.
Fans might have to wait until the early part of next week for an official decision, but all signs point to the three-time Pro Bowler starting under center once again.
