A late change to Cleveland Browns practice has only added fuel to an already crowded quarterback battle.
Todd Monken revealed Wednesday that Deshaun Watson did not get the two-minute drill he was scheduled to run at the end of Tuesday’s practice. According to Monken, Watson and the second-team offense were set for that work, but after Shedeur Sanders led the first-team offense to a score, Monken decided to end the session there.
“Browns coach Todd Monken said he stopped practice after Shedeur Sanders led successful 2:00 drive yesterday because he wanted to end on a high note for offense.
So Deshaun Watson didn’t get a 2:00 drill.
- Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) August 5, 2026”
For a fan base already watching every snap in the competition between Sanders and Watson, the decision was impossible to ignore. Monken didn’t frame it as a statement about the depth chart, but it was the kind of move that naturally sparked questions about where Watson stands.
That reaction makes sense given what Monken had already said about the two-minute drill. Earlier in the week, he stressed how important that work is during camp.
When asked Tuesday about Watson’s early issues stringing completions together, Monken said the team would get a clearer read on the quarterbacks once they got into move-the-ball periods. He added that, in this phase of camp, the only time Cleveland is really moving the ball is in two-minute situations.
That’s why leaving Watson without that rep stood out. In a competition where every drive matters, taking one away looked notable, even if Monken didn’t say it was meant to send a message.
Watson answered on Wednesday with what was described as arguably his best practice of training camp. With the preseason approaching, the battle in Cleveland still feels very much alive.
In Other News...
Taylen Green Is Suddenly Testing The Browns' Crowded QB Pecking Order
Taylen Green has given the Browns something to think about in the first week of training camp, even with limited chances to work. The sixth-round quarterback has looked comfortable enough to stand out in a room already built around Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, and his physical tools have only added to the intrigue around his early work.
Greens path still looks uphill, but camp has a way of reshuffling a pecking order when the reps start piling up and the evaluation gets more serious. If the top of the depth chart remains unsettled, a player who keeps flashing in the background can force his way into a conversation the Browns did not necessarily expect to be having this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Camp Injuries Are Suddenly Raising The Stakes Up Front
Training camp has already turned into a test of depth for the Browns, and the issues up front are making it harder to sort out the roster. A thin group on both lines has left the team navigating a practice week where availability matters just as much as execution, with the offensive line drawing particular attention as the preseason opener creeps closer.
Elgton Jenkins and Parker Brailsford both missed Wednesdays practice, which gave Luke Wypler a chance to work with the starting offense. For a staff trying to get its scheme in place, the timing is less than ideal, and Todd Monken is set to finalize the offensive installation on Thursday before Cleveland faces the Chicago Bears in preseason play. [Read more 🡒]