Todd Monken explains why Deshaun Watson won Browns QB job over Shedeur Sanders

A fresh explanation for an earlier decision

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken has offered a fresh explanation for choosing Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders: in the staff’s evaluation, Watson showed a higher peak. Speaking on Ryan Clark’s The Pivot podcast, Monken said Sanders made strong plays, but the coaches saw more from Watson at the top end. ^{[1] [2] [5]}

The interview revisits a decision Cleveland made on Aug. 24, not a new quarterback change. The Browns announced Watson as their Week 1 starter after evaluating the offseason, training camp, joint practices and preseason. Monken said then that Watson was ahead while crediting Sanders for closing the gap. ^{[3] [4]}

Current depth chart remains unchanged

Cleveland’s official Week 7 depth chart places Watson first and Sanders second for the game against Tennessee. Sanders therefore remains the Browns’ backup; the latest development is Monken’s public explanation of the earlier competition, not a fresh demotion. ^[3]

Monken’s rationale centered on a player’s best level and the staff’s effort to reduce weaknesses. The Browns have not announced a change to their quarterback order. Their next scheduled game is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Nashville. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

The distinction matters because search language can make an old roster choice look new. Cleveland’s own announcements establish the timeline: Watson won the job in August, and the team’s current chart continues to place Sanders behind him. ^{[3] [4]}

Watson’s early-season results may add attention to the competition, but they do not alter when the roster choice was made. Monken’s podcast remarks offer insight into the staff’s evaluation criteria; they do not constitute a new transaction, injury designation or depth-chart move. Sanders’ future opportunities will depend on later team decisions that have not been announced. ^{[1] [3] [4]}