Browns coach Monken hints at quarterback decision ahead of season opener
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken indicated that the team will limit starters in a joint practice with the Bills, fueling speculation about whether Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback.
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said the upcoming joint practice with the Buffalo Bills will be conducted in a controlled environment, with starters held out of Saturday's game. The comment has prompted analysts to question the quarterback hierarchy, as the team evaluates Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders for the starting role. Monken’s remarks suggest the Browns may give Sanders a chance to lead the offense against a non-starter lineup before deciding on Watson’s involvement. Observers note that if Watson does not play with backup players, it could indicate a pre-determined decision to start him in the season opener. The Browns face a challenging early schedule that includes road games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, followed by home matchups with the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The outcome of Saturday’s game and Sanders’ performance without the starters could provide further clues about the quarterback plan for the first two weeks of the season.