“It’s always changing based on what you see. I don’t have a history with any of our players,” Monken said. “I know where this is going, but I don’t have a history with any of our players. They’re all outside of me, just like when I interviewed coaches for the coaching position. There were no internal candidates. I wasn’t here. They’re all outside of me. So every player is outside, other than Tylan Wallace. The thing is, I’ve seen us a little, OK, after three days, that gives us a little days. 40,000-foot view of where we are but that can change.
“When we get back on the field for four weeks at the end of this spring, we’ll have a better idea. But there’s only so many reps you get. You’ve got to start targeting who’s going to start Opening Day. Now, it can still change. It can change, even if someone’s getting two-thirds of the reps or someone’s playing a third of the games, because you’re still going, because I want to see the guys in the backfield and see how they play.”
While Sanders appeared in eight games (seven starts) as a rookie in 2025, conventional wisdom (and salary cap numbers) suggests Watson should be the front-runner for the top job. Reports from April’s practice point to the same, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, even after Watson’s first four years in Cleveland have turned out to be a miserable failure.
With one year remaining on his five-year, $230 million contract, Watson needs to deliver something for the Browns. After taking all of 2025 to heal from a twice-repaired Achilles, Watson will need it just as much if he has any ambition to continue playing professional football.
On paper, the veteran’s 76 games should give him a significant lead over Sanders, even if it is to the chagrin of the latter’s ardent fan base. However, given his long injury history in Cleveland and significant decline in performance, Watson still needs to prove himself worthy of the opportunity.
Monken hopes to answer those questions in the coming weeks and months. Don’t be surprised if we hear plenty about it between now and August.