Todd Monken Stays Mum on Browns QB1 Plans

Mystery surrounds the Cleveland Browns quarterback position ahead of Week 10. 

One day after Shedeur Sanders made his first start of the 2026 season, head coach Todd Monken wouldn't reveal who his QB1 would be against the Houston Texans. 

His silence comes after a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Monken was prepared to turn back to Deshaun Watson as hia starter, after the veteran QB spent most of the previous week in the concussion protocol. The 31-year old is totally healthy as of Monday according the Monken. 

Sanders valiantly commanded the Browns offense against the New Orleans Saints, using some late-game heroics to nearly secure the team's sixth win of the season.

With Cleveland trailing 16-13 with under a minute to play in the fourth quarter, Sanders led the offense on a critical scoring drive to tie the game. The seven-play series covered 41 yards, included a brilliant throw to veteran WR Jerry Jeudy, as Sanders was taking a massive hit in the pocket, and setup Andre Szmyt for a 51-yard FG that sent the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Sanders did it again, answering a New Orleans touchdown drive with one of his own and then staying on the field per Monken's request to go for two in an attempt to win the game with only a minute remaining. The conversion failed, but Sanders' resiliency was on full display. 

He finished 19-of-31 for 297 yards and tossed a pair of touchdowns. It was the first time the Browns had scored a touchdown through the air since Week 5, which was one of the biggest positives in his performance. He also protected the football, which was arguably chief among all of them. 

Still, the offense featured plenty of sluggish moments too, much like it has under Watson's command for large stretches of the season. 

With Cleveland sitting at 5-4 and still very much in the playoff picture, granted back-to-back losses has suddenly brought a new sense od urgency to the franchise. 

Watson is responsible for all five of the team's wins this season, which all included a game-winning drive, much like Sanders nearly pulled off on Sunday. 

The two QBs battled it out for the starting job this summer during training camp, with Monken ultimately choosing Watson as the signal caller that gave them the best chance to win. 

It's fair to reason that Monken may lean on that reasoning again when he does announce his decision this week, as Fowler's report suggested. But Sanders appears to have at least given him something to think about as Cleveland enters a pivotal stretch of the season, featuring four home games over the next give weeks along with a long-awaited bye week.