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

Cleveland’s coach said Watson showed a higher peak during the competition; the explanation revisits an August decision rather than announcing a new demotion.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / NFL
Published: 2026-10-23T23:36:00Z
Updated: 2026-10-23T23:36:00Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/shedeur-sanders-browns-qb-explanation-1d2h42i
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/7f674d63235da1ba28cd8968660f96e9.avif (Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders throw footballs during Cleveland Browns minicamp; credit: Ken Blaze / Imagn Images)

## Summary
- Todd Monken said Cleveland saw a higher top-end level from Deshaun Watson.
- The Browns named Watson the Week 1 starter on Aug. 24.
- Cleveland’s Week 7 depth chart still lists Shedeur Sanders second.

## 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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OJNyyxEP4) [2](https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/cleveland-browns/todd-monken-reveals-shedeur-sanders-lost-qb-job/) [5](https://athlonsports.com/nfl/trending/todd-monken-sends-strong-deshaun-watson-message-after-shedeur-sanders-move)

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](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-7-vs-the-titans) [4](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/deshaun-watson-named-browns-starting-quarterback)

## 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](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-7-vs-the-titans)

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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OJNyyxEP4) [2](https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/cleveland-browns/todd-monken-reveals-shedeur-sanders-lost-qb-job/) [3](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-7-vs-the-titans)

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](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-7-vs-the-titans) [4](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/deshaun-watson-named-browns-starting-quarterback)

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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OJNyyxEP4) [3](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-7-vs-the-titans) [4](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/deshaun-watson-named-browns-starting-quarterback)

## Reporting sources
1. [The Pivot Podcast: Todd Monken interview with Ryan Clark](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OJNyyxEP4) (2026-10-23)
2. [Heavy: Todd Monken reveals why Shedeur Sanders lost Browns QB job](https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/cleveland-browns/todd-monken-reveals-shedeur-sanders-lost-qb-job/) (2026-10-23)
3. [Cleveland Browns: Browns announce unofficial depth chart for Week 7 vs. Titans](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-7-vs-the-titans) (2026-10-20)
4. [Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson named Browns starting quarterback](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/deshaun-watson-named-browns-starting-quarterback) (2026-08-24)
5. [Athlon Sports: Todd Monken sends strong Deshaun Watson message after Shedeur Sanders move](https://athlonsports.com/nfl/trending/todd-monken-sends-strong-deshaun-watson-message-after-shedeur-sanders-move) (2026-10-23)