Browns split first-team OTA reps as Monken weighs Week 1 starter

The Cleveland Browns split first-team repetitions between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders during Wednesday’s Organized Team Activities in Berea, Ohio, at the team’s first media-open session of the spring. Head coach Todd Monken said Sanders has made notable progress entering his second season, while Watson, back from a long injury layoff, showed his trademark athleticism.

Monken added that the staff plans to identify a starter before training camp, using the spring practices to inform the decision.

The workout marked Cleveland’s second OTA practice and offered the clearest early look yet at an open quarterback competition. The Browns kept the rotation fluid to gather fuller evaluations across team periods and situational work. Coaches emphasized consistency, command and timing as the core metrics as the installation progresses.

Sanders, who started seven games as a rookie in 2025, continued to rotate with Watson on the top unit in team drills. Monken described Sanders’ development in his progressions and command of concepts as a significant step from last year, indicating the staff has seen growth in timing and decisiveness. Keeping Sanders in the first-team mix underscores confidence in his trajectory entering Year 2 and accelerates rapport with the starters.

Watson, meanwhile, is healthy after tearing his Achilles in October 2024 and missing the entire 2025 season. Monken noted that Watson’s mobility and movement skills are again apparent, framing that athletic profile as a major asset for the offense. A fully mobile Watson expands the playbook and stresses defenses with second-reaction plays, a dimension the staff will continue to evaluate through the summer.

Monken’s assessment at open OTA practice

Sanders’ second-year strides

Coaches pointed to marked improvement in Sanders’ processing, release and understanding of the scheme. After seven starts last season, he enters the spring with meaningful game tape and an offseason in the system, factors that often translate into faster reads and cleaner operation in practice. The continued split of first-team snaps indicates the Browns want to push Sanders while testing how he manages starter-level responsibilities.

Watson’s mobility on return

Watson’s return from the Achilles injury is central to Cleveland’s outlook. Monken highlighted the quarterback’s athletic traits as a weapon, noting his movement as a differentiator when plays break down. If Watson sustains that element through camp, it strengthens his case for Week 1 and raises the offense’s ceiling. The team will monitor workload and performance trends as installation advances.

Depth chart picture and timeline

Reps for Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green

Behind the top duo, the Browns worked in Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green with the second- and third-team groups, respectively. The rotation gives the staff a broader look at the room while keeping the primary focus on the Watson–Sanders race. Establishing clear roles early helps streamline rep allocation and ensures a cleaner evaluation as practices stack up.

Naming a starter before camp

Monken reiterated his plan to settle on a starting quarterback by the start of training camp. He also referenced the need to have the position set for Jacksonville in Week 1, underscoring the value of clarity heading into full-speed game prep. Until then, Cleveland will continue to balance reps to let performance guide the decision.

The Browns will carry the competition through the remainder of OTAs, with the staff tracking command, efficiency and consistency. How the snaps evolve over the next several sessions should offer the strongest clues yet about the team’s Week 1 direction.