Todd Monken says Browns will have QB competition but he doesn’t expect to divide reps equally

Watson has seemingly become a stronger option in recent days, with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam appearing to boost the embattled QB’s chances of winning the job, indicating that Watson has slimmed down, is in great shape and will report on April 7 ready to compete for the job.

“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 them successful,” Haslam said this week, per ESPN. “Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”

Monken admitted he hasn’t watched a lot of film on Watson but said that he’s played on an elite level previously.

“I know he’s going to be on the roster,” Monken said, via NFL Senior National Columnist Judy Battista. “I know we’re going to evaluate him.”

The mystery man is Gabriel. The Browns’ 2025 third-rounder, selected two rounds ahead of Sanders, started six games and went 1-5 before giving way to Sanders after suffering a concussion. Interestingly, Monken said Sanders has been at the Browns’ facility often this offseason but that Gabriel, to his knowledge, has not.

There’s also a chance competition is added to the mix. The Browns could opt to draft a quarterback in April with one of their nine selections, including two first-rounders and three total in the top 39 overall. According to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo, the Browns are one of three teams to schedule a top-30 visit with Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who could be the second quarterback drafted this year after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.