Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said quarterback Shedeur Sanders has shown improvement in pocket movement and progression reading, despite an uneven performance in the team's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, which the Browns lost 34-10.
Browns coach Monken cites Sanders improvements after rough preseason opener
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said quarterback Shedeur Sanders has shown improvement in pocket movement and progression reading, despite an uneven performance in the team's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, which the Browns lost 34-10.
Sanders, selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after projections had placed him considerably higher, completed 6 of 11 passes for 79 yards and threw one interception in the opener. He also carried the ball twice for three yards.
Monken identified operational issues — getting into the huddle, lining up, and processing the play call — as areas still requiring improvement for Sanders, and noted those same issues applied to Deshaun Watson as well. 'How can we play cleaner at all positions, and certainly with him, how can he play cleaner?' Monken said.
Watson, returning to game action for the first time in 22 months following an Achilles rupture on October 20, 2024, started the opener and completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards but lost a fumble. Third-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel, drafted in the third round of 2025, went 5 for 8 for 23 yards and one interception.
In his rookie season, Sanders made seven starts and one additional appearance, finishing with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on a 56.6 percent completion rate. He also rushed for 169 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown.
Cleveland's next preseason game is scheduled for August 22 against the Buffalo Bills. The Browns' regular season opens September 13 in Jacksonville.
- The source does not state Sanders's own assessment of his preseason performance.
- The source does not clarify the current depth-chart order among Sanders, Watson, and Gabriel for the starting position.
- The source does not state what criteria or timeline the Browns are using to determine their starting quarterback.
- The source does not provide Watson's or Gabriel's comments on their own performances.
- The source does not specify the nature or number of penalties referenced by Monken.
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