As expected, Shedeur Sanders got the first crack with the starting offense as the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition kicked into gear.
The Browns started voluntary veteran minicamp on Tuesday, and all three quarterbacks — Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel — were on the field. The reps were all over the board for most of the day, but Sanders was first up when the Browns started their 11-on-11 drills, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.
That said, Watson also took a healthy serving of reps with the starting unit. Gabriel also got in some work, but mostly worked with the backups.
New head coach Todd Monken made it clear that it’s an open competition. However, he noted that the reps will not be distributed equally as the Browns look to make a decision sooner rather than later on their starting quarterback.
“I wouldn’t say they’re going to be evenly dispersed, but we’ll definitely disperse them to give ourselves a chance to at least evaluate who we have on the roster, whoever that might be as we go through the offseason,” Monken said. “You’d love to be able to come out of the spring with a depth chart. That doesn’t mean there’s still not competition. But I do think you have to narrow the reps or at least balance up the reps of who you anticipate has come out of the spring certainly in a position to be a starter.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Can Build Off Rookie Season
As it stands, it looks like it’s Sanders’ job to lose. He started the final seven games for the Browns last season. Sanders went 3-4 in those starts, passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The numbers weren’t always pretty, but Monken has been very complimentary of Sanders, highlighting his playmaking ability.
“I think you see playmaking ability. I think you see a player [who] is confident in his skill set,” Monken said on This Is Football. “So, when you see that playmaking ability and inner confidence, you say, ‘OK, there’s something to work with here.’ I think that’s the thing that excites you.”
Sanders operated behind a patchwork offensive line and within an offense short on dynamic playmakers, a combination that limited his ceiling as a rookie. Cleveland is now positioning him for a more telling evaluation, pairing an upgraded supporting cast with Monken taking over play-calling duties.
Deshaun Watson Still in Mix for Browns
Sanders may have the early edge but Watson is still firmly in the mix. And the former Pro Bowler has some urgency behind his play. Watson is heading into the final year of his contract with the Browns. If he doesn’t get on the field this season, his future in the NFL is a significant question. There’s some optimism within the Browns building that Watson, 30, can return to form with a fresh start.
“Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said. “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the [least] he has in several years. … Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Watson has appeared in just 19 games since arriving in 2022 following a blockbuster trade, missing significant time due to a lengthy suspension and major shoulder and Achilles injuries. He did not play at all last season.
Browns Make Shedeur Sanders Decision as QB Competition Gets Underway