BEREA — Everyone has an opinion about who the Browns’ starting quarterback is right now. Not who it will be in September, but who it is after two OTAs.
There’s a camp firmly in Deshaun Watson’s corner. There’s a camp that believes it’s Shedeur Sanders.
Then there’s Browns coach Todd Monken, who has the say on the final decision. Monken’s not even close to saying who’ll be QB1 in his first year on the job,
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“Yeah, nothing’s really changed other than it’s a different day and you’re firing the same questions,” Monken said after the Browns’ second OTA May 20. “I’m not trying to be … I mean, nothing’s really changed. I mean, we’re going to rotate those guys and play the best player and we’ll see.”
Wednesday’s OTA was the first one open to the media. However, it’s the second one the Browns have conducted this week, with a third scheduled for May 21 before they break for the Memorial Day weekend.
There were multiple “two-spot” periods with Watson working with one group at one end of the field and Sanders working with the other at the opposite end. The group Watson was working with Wednesday included wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond, free-agent offensive linemen Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins at left guard and center and was going against a large number of the Browns’ No. 1 defensive players.
Watson was also first up as the Browns’ offense went 11 on 11 with the play being blown dead after the initial steps after the snap. The one period where Sanders went first was the first full-speed 11-on-11 period, while Watson was back first in subsequent periods of both 11-on-11 and 7-on-7.
Watson may have also had the throw of the day during the 7-on-7. He lofted a perfect go route to rookie Denzel Boston, who made a contested catch in the end zone between cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Ronnie Hickman.
The perception of those watching from the sidelines seemed to indicate that Watson was the one up first and getting the most reps. However, Monken said the reality was much different.
“Well, actually today, Deshaun, when we two spot, we divide up Shedeur and Deshaun,” Monken said. “So when it was two-spotted, we just keep the guys in the same spot. Actually, Shedeur took the first-team reps the rest of practice.”
Monken didn’t get into how the rotation differentiated from the first OTA, which wasn’t open. He also didn’t go into detail how the next day’s OTA would fit into the context of the previous two already completed.
Essentially, Monken’s feeling about any timetable regarding the decision and where they’re at in the progress toward making a decision is centered around only one date. That’s Sept. 13, when the Browns open the regular season at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Well, you’d love to have it at every position at the end of spring, but you can’t guarantee that,” Monken said. “We’ll have it set for Jacksonville.”
The lack of full-contact drills or full equipment on the players hasn’t prevented some opinions from being formed. How much those opinions are impacting the amount of reps each gets daily, only Monken, quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer know for certain.
Monken’s never worked with any of the quarterbacks on the roster before he was hired in January. But with a month-and-a-half of the offseason program now under their belts, it’s allowed both Watson and Sanders to note differences and growth from both.
“Well, again, I shouldn’t say surprised,” Monken said. “I think more people would be surprised. Deshaun’s athleticism shows up. Obviously he’s had that, but he’s had his injuries that have set him back. I wouldn’t say a surprise, but it’s exciting to see. It’s a weapon for him. It’s one of his superpowers is that athleticism. And I think Shedeur’s come miles in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts. I think he’s really, really come a long way.”
There’s still a long, long way to go to get to the season opener. Whether there’s a long, long way to go to get to the decision isn’t as firm.
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Performances like Wednesday, though, are a long, long way from what Monken wants to see from whoever his quarterback ends up being. There were fumbled snaps as both worked with multiple centers and, even worse, interceptions by both Watson and Sanders.
Those picks were the lasting takeaway from the day for Monken.
“We threw interceptions in seven on seven for God’s sakes,” Monken said. “I mean, who does that? There’s no pass rush. I mean, it’s embarrassing.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders? ‘Nothing’s really changed’ for Browns
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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