Cleveland, OH – The familiar churn of quarterback positioning within the Cleveland Browns organization has taken center stage once more, as the team commenced its voluntary minicamp under the new stewardship of Head Coach Todd Monken. In a practice session that has captured considerable attention, Shedeur Sanders was observed taking reps with the first-team offense, a notable shift from his rookie season under previous coaching staff.
The arrangement of quarterback snaps in the initial practices is fluid, with Coach Monken emphasizing that the distribution of reps between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson will vary daily, indicating an open competition for the starting role. Sanders himself, wearing his customary No. 2 jersey, was among the first to take snaps in team drills, splitting opportunities with Watson. This rotation, explicitly planned by the coaching staff, represents a departure from last season when Sanders was significantly further down the depth chart.
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"The reps will change each day," Monken stated post-practice, addressing the distribution of opportunities. "We're just rotating. We are focused on teaching and installing the offense, not drawing conclusions."
The dynamics of the quarterback situation are clearly evolving. While Sanders has been allocated a greater share of first-team reps in this initial phase, the coaching staff insists their primary objective is the installation of the offensive scheme, rather than making immediate judgments on the depth chart. Third-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel is reportedly trailing Sanders and Watson in terms of practice snaps.
Sanders, who spent much of his offseason working out in Cleveland, conveyed a sentiment of renewed energy and a different atmosphere under Monken.
"It's a lot of new energy," Sanders remarked after practice. "It's just the vibe, the overall feeling of the responsibility our players have to hold each other accountable for everything."
This marked the first 11-on-11 practice of Monken's tenure. Sanders, a fifth-round pick last year, is aiming to revive his NFL career, while Watson seeks to re-establish himself. The coaching staff's approach appears geared towards evaluation, with the acquisition of knowledge and execution of the new playbook being central to determining the quarterback hierarchy.
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A New Dynamic Takes Hold
The narrative surrounding Shedeur Sanders has often been intertwined with his draft position versus perceived talent and his background. After a college career at Colorado that drew significant media attention, his transition to the NFL has been a point of focus. Last season, he found himself fourth on the depth chart under former head coach Kevin Stefanski, with limited opportunities.
Monken, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens for three seasons, has expressed admiration for Sanders' capabilities, noting his "elite playmaking" potential. He has also been observed engaging closely with Sanders, even sharing a friendly exchange on Monken's first day as head coach.
While Sanders acknowledges the team's direction and expresses satisfaction with the new coaching staff's approach, he maintains a pragmatic outlook on the competition.
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"It's not up to me who starts," Sanders said, reflecting on his role. "If I focus on something I can't control, then I'll be living the wrong way.”
The team's decision to grant Sanders first-team reps early in the offseason program signals a potential willingness from the Browns' brass to give him a more substantial opportunity to compete for the starting job, a stark contrast to the previous offseason. The ongoing development and performance in practices will dictate how this quarterback competition ultimately unfolds.
