Inside the Browns’ QB Battle: Todd Monken Remains Fired Up Despite Preseason Setbacks
The Cleveland Browns’ preseason opener may not have delivered the result fans were hoping for, but for head coach Todd Monken, the story of the game goes far beyond a disappointing final score. Following a contest marked by three turnovers and a sluggish second-half performance, Monken stepped to the podium not with frustration, but with a surprising sense of optimism and clarity regarding his team’s most critical position: quarterback. In a candid post-game address, Monken dissected the team’s struggles, defended his signal-callers, and outlined a concrete plan for the high-stakes week ahead.
For those fixated on the box score, the loss against Chicago was a clear negative. Monken didn’t attempt to sugarcoat the outcome. He was blunt, acknowledging that the team failed to finish the game and lacked consistency on both sides of the ball. “You simply cannot turn the ball over three times and expect to win,” he stated, refusing to offer excuses for the operational failures. However, he also framed the preseason experience as a marathon, characterizing the opener as merely the first thirteen miles of a much longer journey. This perspective serves as a reminder that while the mistakes were real, they do not necessarily define the ceiling of this team.
The focal point of the conversation was undoubtedly the quarterback competition. When asked about Deshaun Watson’s performance, Monken expressed genuine, unfiltered enthusiasm. After a layoff of nearly two years, seeing Watson back on the field, operating at a high level, and clearly enjoying the game again, was a major milestone. Monken noted that while there are operational details to clean up—such as untimely timeouts and penalties—Watson’s ability to function as a starting NFL quarterback remains undisputed in the coach’s mind. When pressed on whether he felt 100% confident in Watson’s ability to lead as a starter, Monken didn’t hesitate: “100% yes.”
On the other side of the competition, Shedeur Sanders faced immediate scrutiny following an interception. However, Monken’s assessment of the play was nuanced and technical, rather than dismissive. Based on his initial live view, Monken suggested that the interception wasn’t a product of a fundamentally bad read, but rather a mechanical execution issue. He noted that the ball appeared to sail, potentially affected by pressure or environmental factors, and drew a direct comparison to a later interception by Dylan Gabriel. By diagnosing these as “right reads, wrong execution” problems, Monken highlighted a critical distinction. Mechanical issues are fixable; fundamental processing errors, which are much harder to coach, appear to be absent. This level of insight suggests that the coaching staff is evaluating the quarterbacks holistically, looking at the “process” behind the plays rather than simply tallying stats on a spreadsheet.
Monken’s commitment to a fair evaluation process was further solidified by his clear, concrete plan for the upcoming joint practice and preseason game against Buffalo. The rotation will flip: Sanders is set to start, with Watson taking the third quarter and Dylan Gabriel closing out the fourth. Monken emphasized that this is a deliberate effort to provide each player with the most realistic, high-pressure opportunities possible. He also revealed that he is carefully managing workloads during the week, noting that starters who receive heavy usage in the joint practice against Buffalo might see limited, or even no, action in the Saturday game itself. This approach signals a disciplined coaching staff that prioritizes meaningful evaluation over arbitrary snap counts.
Perhaps the most revealing insight into Monken’s coaching philosophy was his focus on composure and enjoyment. He admitted that he was specifically watching to see if Sanders looked comfortable and remained engaged through the ups and downs of a difficult second half. For a young quarterback, the ability to process a mistake, learn from it, and maintain a competitive edge is a non-negotiable trait for long-term success. Monken confirmed that Sanders passed this internal test, showing he remained present and competitive even when the game was slipping away.
Beyond the quarterbacks, Monken addressed broader structural concerns, specifically the offense’s inability to establish the run. He was transparent that when the run game fails, the entire offense is forced into long, difficult down-and-distance situations, making it significantly harder for any quarterback to protect the football. By isolating these structural issues from the individual performance of the quarterbacks, Monken provided a balanced view that avoids scapegoating while identifying clear, actionable areas for growth.
As the team prepares for the Buffalo week, the message from the head coach is clear: there is significant work to be done, but there is also a foundation of confidence. Monken is not ready to name a starter, and he refuses to be pressured into a premature decision. Instead, he remains committed to a rigorous, fair, and ongoing evaluation process that considers not only game performance but also the players’ growth within the system.
Whether you see this transparency as a sign of a healthy, competitive environment or a delay of the inevitable, one thing is certain: Todd Monken is a coach who is fully engaged in the development of his team. He is accountable for the mistakes, yet optimistic about the trajectory. As the Browns look toward the rest of the preseason, the “QB1” race remains open, and the next stretch of practice and games will likely provide the clarity that a single, messy preseason opener could not. For fans, the message is one of patience and continued focus on the process, as the true identity of this 2026 Cleveland offense continues to take shape.
