Cleveland Browns fans hoping for a fresh start under new head coach Todd Monken might want to look away from the practice field right now. The team's quarterbacks are already making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and it's only May.
During organized team activities—still months before training camp kicks off—Monken didn't mince words. He called the sheer volume of interceptions during no-contact 7-on-7 drills “embarrassing.” That's a brutal assessment for a group that includes both veteran Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders.
The quarterback competition is wide open, but early returns suggest no one has seized the moment. According to reports, both Watson and Sanders tossed picks in the same drill, drawing sharp reactions from fans and analysts alike. One fan on social media summed it up: “God I love Monken he’s right shame on the QB’s.” Another joked, “Annnnnnnd we’re off for the 2026 season of Cleveland #Browns football. Good times ahead.”
The early struggles come despite high hopes for Watson, who has missed significant time due to injury over the past year and a half. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam expressed optimism at the league meetings, saying, “Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has, in his past, been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make him successful.” Monken echoed that sentiment at the NFL combine, noting that any player who has shown elite skill deserves the benefit of the doubt.
But practice doesn't lie. The interceptions are piling up, and Monken isn't sugarcoating it. The Browns are still months from naming a starter, but the pressure is mounting. Deion Sanders has already demanded a face-to-face with Monken to discuss unlocking his son's potential, adding another layer of drama to the competition.
Meanwhile, the Browns' front office has been busy off the field, too. The team recently sold a 3% stake to private equity firm Arctos, a move that could reshape the franchise's financial future. But none of that matters if the quarterback play doesn't improve.
Monken's blunt honesty has earned him early respect from some fans, but results will ultimately determine his legacy. The Browns have talent on both sides of the ball, but if the quarterbacks can't protect the ball in simple drills, it's going to be a long season. As one fan put it, “Both guilty.”
With the 2026 season still on the horizon, Cleveland's quarterback room has plenty of time to turn things around. But right now, the only thing they're leading in is embarrassment.
