Browns split first-team OTA reps as Monken eyes Week 1 QB decision

The Cleveland Browns split first-team repetitions between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders during Wednesday’s Organized Team Activities in Berea, Ohio, at the club’s first media-open session of the spring. Head coach Todd Monken, in his first year in charge, said Sanders has made notable progress entering his second season, while Watson, back from a long injury layoff, showed his trademark athleticism. The rotation offered the first open look at an active quarterback competition under Monken.

Monken said the staff will use the spring practices to inform the decision and aims to identify a starter before training camp.

The workout was Cleveland’s second OTA practice and offered the clearest early look yet at an open quarterback competition. Coaches kept the rotation fluid to gather fuller evaluations across team periods and situational work, emphasizing consistency, command and timing as the installation progresses.

Sanders, who started seven games as a rookie in 2025, continued to rotate with Watson on the top unit in team drills. Monken described Sanders’ progressions and command of concepts as a significant step from last year, indicating growth in timing and decisiveness. Keeping him in the first-team mix underscores confidence in his trajectory entering Year 2 and accelerates rapport with the starters.

Watson is healthy after tearing his Achilles in October 2024 and missing the entire 2025 season. Monken noted that the quarterback’s mobility and movement skills are again apparent, framing that athletic profile as a major asset for the offense. A fully mobile Watson expands the playbook and stresses defenses with second-reaction plays, a dimension the staff plans to monitor through the summer.

Monken’s assessment at open OTA practice

Sanders’ second-year strides

Coaches pointed to improvement in Sanders’ processing, release and understanding of the scheme. With seven starts of game tape and a full offseason in the system, he is operating faster and cleaner in practice. The continued split of first-team snaps indicates Cleveland intends to push him while testing his management of starter-level responsibilities.

Watson’s mobility on return

Watson’s movement again stood out in team periods and scramble drills. Monken characterized that athleticism as a differentiator when plays break down and as a factor that can widen the call sheet. Sustaining that element through camp would strengthen Watson’s case for Week 1 and raise the offense’s ceiling.

Depth chart picture and timeline

Reps for Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green

Behind the top duo, the Browns mixed in Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green with the second- and third-team groups, respectively. The rotation broadens the staff’s look at the room while keeping the primary focus on the Watson–Sanders race. Establishing clear roles early helps streamline rep allocation and ensures a cleaner evaluation as practices stack up.

Naming a starter before camp

Monken reiterated his plan to settle on a starting quarterback by the start of training camp in late July. He also referenced the need to have the position set for Jacksonville in Week 1, underscoring the value of clarity heading into full-speed game prep. Until then, Cleveland will continue to balance reps and let performance guide the decision.

The Browns will carry the competition through the remainder of OTAs, tracking command, efficiency and consistency. How the snaps evolve over the next several sessions should offer the clearest clues yet about the team’s Week 1 direction.