The Cleveland Browns are moving into Week 1 preparation in Jacksonville with Shedeur Sanders next in line at quarterback, a role that could matter quickly in a season where the position has rarely stayed settled for long.
Todd Monken said Sanders and Taylen Green will split the scout-team reps as the Browns begin their game-week work. That is not the same as a starting job, but it does put Sanders directly into the mix behind Deshaun Watson, who was named the Browns' starting quarterback in late August after an offseason competition with Sanders.
A familiar Browns storyline
The Browns have had at least three different starting quarterbacks in each of the last three seasons, and since 1999 they have returned to the NFL with a quarterback picture that has often shifted as the year goes on. Over the last 10 years, Cleveland's primary backup to begin the season has started at least one pre-November game in seven of those 10 seasons. That history helps explain why the backup plan matters almost as much as the starter in Cleveland.
Watson has not played since 2024 and is signed only for this season. He has played in 19 games over four seasons, which is part of why the Browns have continued to cycle through options and keep multiple quarterbacks available. The team kept four quarterbacks in the building, even if not on the initial 53-man roster, and that leaves Sanders in a position where his development remains important even if he is not currently listed as the top answer.
What Monken sees in Sanders
Monken has described Sanders as a developmental quarterback with enough tools to eventually become a full-time player. He also said Sanders did a lot of really good things this summer, was very impressive in how far he has come, and plays with a lot of confidence. The key limitation is that Sanders did not get practice reps with the No. 1 offense before he was pressed into game action, so the Browns are still balancing evaluation, preparation and long-term growth.
For now, the role is straightforward: Sanders is next in line, and the Browns are getting him ready in a way that could prove useful if the quarterback depth chart changes again. In Cleveland, that has often been the most realistic way to think about the position.
