As training camp progresses, the Cleveland Browns remain without a clear Week 1 starting quarterback as Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders compete for the top spot. However, the battle has been overshadowed by execution issues and frequent penalties, inviting frustration from head coach Todd Monken and growing concern among the fans.
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On Monday, both quarterbacks took the field to practice a 1-minute, end-of-half situation.
Browns beat reporter Ashley Bastock shared uninspiring news for fans: neither quarterback scored a touchdown, and multiple penalties hampered both drives. Monken ultimately ended practice visibly frustrated.
“End of Browns practice. One-minute end-of-half situation. Sanders is up first and the drive ends with two false starts on the line. Watson next and after two completions, a sack, an illegal formation and a false start. Monken ended practice and looked like he threw something,” Bastock reported.
End of #Browns practice. One minute end of half situation. Sanders up first and the drive ends with two false starts on the line. Watson next and after two completions, a sack, an illegal formation and a false start. Monken ended practice and looked like he threw something.
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) August 10, 2026
The tweet caught the attention of media members across the country.
No one expects Watson or Sanders to be stars once September arrives, but the struggles during camp practices were disheartening for fans.
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NFL analyst Warren Sharp had to laugh about the situation once Ashley made the tweet. “Every sentence is progressively worse,” Sharp said.
every sentence is progressively worse 💀 https://t.co/2xUI9RttJn
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 10, 2026
The idea of both quarterbacks struggling in the same drill had media members wondering whether a trade for a new passer could be possible. Bears reporter Brendan Sugrue named Tyson Bagent as a possible trade target, saying, “Todd Monken is going to kidnap Tyson Bagent this weekend, isn’t he?”
Todd Monken is going to kidnap Tyson Bagent this weekend, isn’t he. https://t.co/JaSX4UVCKI
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 10, 2026
Another sports reporter, Jordan Zirm, wrote an ironic tweet to make fun of the Browns’ situation, writing, “So it’s going well, then?”
The Sleeper NFL account also commented on the situation, saying, “I wouldn’t wish being a Browns fan on my worst enemy.”
I wouldn’t wish being a Browns fan on my worst enemy https://t.co/xzX3iNnxn8
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) August 10, 2026
And finally, Geoff Schwartz, a former offensive lineman who now works as a media member and analyst, also used irony in his tweet, writing, “Things going well for the Browns offense.”
Things going well for the Browns offense https://t.co/Iiyzm27yNP
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 10, 2026
The competition under center will continue over the coming weeks. Sanders was ranked No. 37, second-worst in the league, in our PFN QB Impact Metric last season with a 63.0 impact score. Watson, on the other end, didn’t play due to his recovery from a torn Achilles.
Regardless of who wins the starting job, leading the Browns to the playoffs will be an uphill battle. Competing in one of the NFL’s most rigorous divisions, the Browns will need significant progress under center to push for a postseason berth.
