It’s clear that Todd Monken’s main task as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns is to rebuild an offense that has been a disaster. The first step is to secure a quarterback who can give the franchise a chance to compete. Currently, there are three quarterbacks under contract: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel.
The reality is that, among the three quarterbacks, there are more questions than answers-none of them has proven to be the solution. That’s why there’s a strong possibility that Todd Monken could bring in an external quarterback. According to Browns insiders, the big hope is Malik Willis, but he is expected to be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in free agency.
Todd Monken is an offensive mind, which is why he was brought to the Cleveland Browns. After his excellent work with the Baltimore Ravens as offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024, he helped the team rank in the top 5 offensively in the league. Last season, he couldn’t replicate those numbers, mainly due to Lamar Jackson’s injuries.
Deshaun Watson could have the edge
According to Mary Kay Cabot, a Cleveland Browns insider, Deshaun Watson currently holds the edge to be the starter in 2026: “I would say right now the chances are probably somewhere around 40%. Both Todd Monken and Andrew Berry said they’re open to bringing in a QB from the outside. Right at the moment, he’s right in the thick of it with Shedeur Sanders, then we’ll see whoever else comes on board.”
One of the biggest mistakes in Browns history was when they let Baker Mayfield go to sign Deshaun Watson ahead of the 2022 season. At the time, the Browns gave the former Clemson star the largest contract in NFL history-five years and $230 million-which ultimately proved to be a failure.
Since then, Deshaun Watson has only played 19 games due to suspensions and injuries. The former Houston Texans player hasn’t played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, when he tore his Achilles tendon, re-injured it during rehabilitation, and missed the entire 2025 season.
Now, Deshaun Watson is ready to compete against two quarterbacks entering their second year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. This gives Watson a slight advantage as of today. However, the final decision will rest with Todd Monken, and Shedeur Sanders has shown flashes of potential, meaning the competition will likely come down to Watson versus Sanders.
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