Browns Noticing Shedeur Sanders Is Making Quicker Decisions
The Cleveland Browns have the most interesting QB battle in the league right now with Shedeur Sanders going throw for throw with former NFL passing yards leader Deshaun Watson.
While Browns head coach Todd Monken is not ready to name a starting quarterback for the season or even a leader heading into next month's training camp, he did have plenty of compliments to send Sanders' way this week.
Speaking to the media, Monken praised Sanders for being more decisive and faster with his decision-making. He believes that Sanders is showing that he can process the game much more quickly and it's going to enable him to stack big plays.
"I just think he's doing a better job - I think he's being more decisive," Monken said. "Now, it's easy to say [right now], we're not in pads. It just feels like he's making quicker decisions. The ball's coming out of his hands, which he's going to have to do. Not that he doesn't have playmaking ability, because he does. But his ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands and eliminate lost yards, plays is going to be huge.
"He has to be able to stack plays and score, which is ultimately the No. 1 thing to do."
Shedeur vs. Watson
Sanders was a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft despite being touted as a first-round pick by many following a standout career at Colorado. He was thrust into the starting lineup midway through the season and had a few impressive performances, earning a Pro Bowl selection and completing 56.6-percent of his passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
Watson is a former Pro Bowler in his own right who joined the Browns in 2022 but has struggled to return to the elite form he enjoyed between 2018 and 2020. He's played only 19 games over the past four seasons and missed all of 2025 while recovering from a serious shoulder injury.
If neither Sanders or Watson improves in 2026, the Browns could be in for a very, very long season.
On the other hand, if one or both of them can play to their highest level, the AFC North could be ripe for the taking.
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