Time is running out for the Cleveland Browns to finalize their starting quarterback. After a crowded position battle last year, there seemed to be a clear-cut distinction between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders entering camp this summer.
While Watson hasn’t inspired much belief in the fan base or the NFL world at large, Sanders’ age and skills bring huge upside to the table. But a choice by head coach Todd Monken on the 10th day of training camp left Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe baffled.
Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Todd Monken’s Decision on Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders
Since checking in for training camp, the process for the Browns has been relatively straightforward. Most quarterbacks have gotten consistent reps, with Sanders and Watson handling first-team duties on alternating days.
For the 10th day of training camp, first-team snaps were slated for Sanders, a plan Monken previously confirmed to media members. However, in a surprising turn, the bulk of those reps went to Watson instead.
Sanders, meanwhile, shared duties with fellow second-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel before getting extra work later in practice. Reacting on his “Nightcap” podcast, Sharpe put himself in Sanders’ shoes to question the decision:
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“I’m just trying to figure out why you want to see him (Watson) on personnel groupings when it’s my day?” Sharpe said. “When it comes to his day, okay, now you can see. So what about tomorrow? We can’t do these groupings tomorrow?”
Going a step further, the incensed Hall of Famer added, “So what was so special about my day that I’m supposed to get the reps? We’re supposed to alternate; you didn’t want to see the group tomorrow, huh?”
“I’m just trying to figure out why you want to see him (Watson) in personnel groupings when it’s my day? When it’s his day, now you can see,” – @ShannonSharpe reacts to the Browns giving Deshaun Watson all the 1st team reps on what was supposed to be Shedeur’s day. pic.twitter.com/qa93oit6lX
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 9, 2026
For his part, Monken explained that there were specific personnel groupings he wanted to evaluate with Watson under center. Nevertheless, the decision sparked widespread speculation over what it means for the QB1 competition heading into the preseason.
Given the first-team reps, though, the former Houston Texans star made the most of his position. Completing 23 of 34 passing attempts, he connected on four touchdowns without committing an interception. That stat line overshadowed Sanders, who turned in an efficient performance of his own, completing 16 of 20 passes.
Sanders didn’t have a great rookie season; according to PFN’s QB Impact Metric, he posted the second-worst impact score at his position (63.0). Now, with Monken opting to prioritize Watson on a day originally scheduled for Sanders, media analysts and fans have reached a similar conclusion: the three-time Pro Bowler holds the edge in Cleveland’s quarterback battle, at least for now!
