Browns Coach Monken Dismisses Watson Over Sanders QB Claim

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has pushed back against speculation that the team's quarterback competition is nearing a conclusion, sharply dismissing a reporter's attempt to frame Deshaun Watson as having surpassed Shedeur Sanders for the starting role. The exchange occurred during a Monday press conference as Monken addressed the ongoing battle between the two quarterbacks.

The controversy began after Saturday's practice, where Watson unexpectedly took all the first-team repetitions despite Sanders having been told he would receive them. The change, made just 45 minutes before practice, sparked immediate criticism and questions about the direction of the competition. Monken explained the decision was a simple rotation to balance repetitions. He said coaching staff members noted Sanders had received more first-team work in recent days, prompting the switch. "I was like, 'Yeah, sure. We'll flip it, and then next week, we'll go the other way,'" Monken stated.

When a reporter asked Monday whether Monken believed Watson had improved since the start of camp or was now better than Sanders, the coach rejected the premise. "Oh, I don't think I threw in there that he's better...