The Browns could prepare to acquire a clear starting quarterback in early March.
If that doesn’t happen, new Cleveland coach Todd Monken appears to be OK with a possible spring and early summer competition involving a second-year player. Shedeur Sanders And Deshaun Watson.
During his meeting with reporters Wednesday, Monken praised Sanders and Watson, saying Watson had “demonstrated a skill set at an elite level” and that Sanders had displayed “elite playmaking ability” both during his rookie season and during his college career.
Sanders started the final seven games of his freshman year and Watson is returning from a serious injury. So Monken isn’t ready to declare himself a leader or share the Browns’ level of potential interest in finding an external upgrade. But he’s willing to let what he sees on the practice field dictate his starting quarterback if necessary.
“I think it’s an open competition,” » Monken said. “I mean, I don’t understand why it wouldn’t be an open competition. “
Soon, the Browns will restructure Watson’s contract again to raise his current salary cap hit of $80.7 million to approximately $39 million for 2026. The Browns traded three first-round picks for the right to give Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022, but Watson has only played 19 games for the Browns and hasn’t played since October 2024 due to a torn neck. Achilles tendon twice. kept him on the physically unable to perform list in 2025.
With this restructuring and other moves, the Browns will have enough cap space to address multiple offensive areas. Six veteran offensive linemen are eligible for free agency, and the Browns also need upgrades at the wide receiver position. As for whether they will continue Malik Willis in free agency or potentially another veteran via trade, we’ll find out in two weeks. Monken obviously doesn’t share the team’s strategy for the March or April draft at this time.
