With two minicamp practices to go, the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders is too close to call, according to Todd Monken.
Therefore, the coach is likely to continue the competition into the first two weeks of training camp without naming a No. 1.
“I would have hoped that, but I like both of them,” Monken said after the first of three minicamp practices to wind down the spring season. “I don’t know what to say, it’s really as simple as that. I like both of them and we haven’t had the pads on. That’s the hardest thing.
“As much as I’d love to make that decision, either by someone separating themselves upwards or downwards either way, which has not occurred. And we haven’t even gotten to practicing against an opponent, putting the pads on, having a controlled scrimmage or playing preseason games.
“I think you would love to have the starter named, I just can’t do it. I’m not there yet. That’s the reality of it.”
Sanders took the bulk of reps with the first team in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods on Tuesday. He had a lot of completions (25 of 30), but several were on plays allowed to continue despite what probably would have been sacks.
Sanders’ highlight was a deep ball to Denzel Boston, on which Boston demonstrated his contested catch ability by outleaping two defenders and stepping into the end zone. Sanders also had a long completion to Isaiah Bond on which safety Christopher Edmonds appeared to give up on.
Watson completed a long touchdown to Tylan Wallace over cornerback Nate Evans. Watson ended the 2-hour, 19-minute practice with a completion to Luke Floriea in a two-minute drill, on which Floriea evaded two defenders and pranced to the end zone.
Watson (15 of 22) avoided an interception when a pass was deflected and not caught before it hit the ground.
Monken continued to praise the quarterbacks, but the fact is neither has impressed him enough to warrant a clear victory over the other.
“It’s been great to watch them progress,” Monken said. “The sad part is in two days they go away for five or six weeks. That’s what sucks because you just start to get a little bit of momentum. You’re stacking plays. You’re seeing some things you really like. We’ve got to do a great job as a staff when they get back picking up where they left off. But it’s been fun to watch those guys compete, the whole room. They’re really smart guys. Highly competitive and they’ve come a long way. I’m excited about the room.”
Monken said that Watson would get the bulk of No. 1 reps on Wednesday and then he would split the No. 1 reps on Thursday.
Brownie bits
Defensive tackle Mason Graham wore a walking boot on his right foot and did not practice. Other DNP’s were tight end Harold Fannin, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety Grant Delpit and defensive tackle Maliek Collins. Monken said that other than Collins, who is rehabbing from late-season quad surgery, he doesn’t think any injured player won’t be ready for training camp …
The Delpit situation might be a “hold in” in silent protest of his contract. He is in the final year with no guarantees in 2026. Monken was asked if Delpit’s non-practice was because of an injury or a “hold in.” He responded, “I won’t comment on injuries.” …
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has a third jersey number in 12 months. He wore No. 5 in training camp last year, switched to No. 8 at the roster cut to 53, and is now wearing No. 6. Gabriel’s No. 8 was given to defensive end Jared Verse, whose V-8 nickname with the Rams reflected his No. 8 jersey number. The Browns needed the OK from the NFL to give Gabriel No. 6 because it is the number worn by linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who is on the team’s physically unable to play list …
Verse competed in team drills and camped in the Browns’ offensive backfield much of the day. He is going to be a load for rookie left tackle Spencer Fano to handle in training camp …
Running back Quinshon Judkins’ assessment of where he’s at after rehabbing from a dislocated ankle and broken fibula: “I would say [I’m] confident. I know the work I put in, so I’m prepared to go out there and just put it on the field.” …
Sanders’ two-minute drill ended at the 39-yard line. Kicker Andre Szmyt came in and booted the field goal from 57 yards.