Todd Monken Won't Evenly Spilit Reps?

The days of splitting quarterback reps four ways across two fields are officially over in Berea. Speaking at the AFC coaches breakfast at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, new Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken made one thing crystal clear — the rep distribution in the QB competition will not be equal. The number of reps each quarterback receives can shift on a daily basis as the offseason and training camp progress.

"I think there's always competition irrespective of the number of reps a player gets," Monken said. "The number of reps a player gets doesn't eliminate competition. It's just in a given day, let's say for instance, you want to see a quarterback with the first group, the second group, the third group. Well, are you going to divide those reps up evenly?"

Why This Is a Big Deal

Under Kevin Stefanski, the Browns attempted to divide practice reps among Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders close to evenly across two fields — well, except for Sanders, who never took reps with the first team. Monken wants no part of that approach.

"The reps can't be divided up evenly. There's no chance. At least on a daily basis," Monken said. He pointed to a "four- or five-way competition" during his first year as Georgia's offensive coordinator, calling it "not ideal." Thelandondemand

That's the difference between a head coach who has a plan and one who's managing chaos. Monken is signaling from day one that structure matters more than optics.

Who's In the Race

The three-man competition features Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel — and already there are clear separations forming.

Monken noted that Sanders has been in the Browns facility frequently this offseason, working out and preparing. Gabriel, as far as Monken is aware, has not been in the building. The Big Lead

That alone tells you something. Shedeur is putting in the work off the clock. Monken said of Sanders: "It's been great that he's been in the building. It's refreshing to see a player that recognizes where he's at and where he wants to get to." Thelandondemand

As for Watson, Monken said he's spoken with him once, noting "I dated my wife for five years before we decided to get married. So one day's not enough. Two weeks isn't enough, two months isn't enough. It's a process." Thelandondemand

So Who Gets the First Crack?

Monken said the staff will use data from where the 2025 season ended and past information about the quarterbacks to determine daily reps. By that rationale, Sanders — who started the Browns' final seven games under the previous staff — would appear to hold the early lead. NFL

Monken also expressed a desire to establish a depth chart coming out of the spring. "You'd love to be able to come out of the spring with a depth chart," he said. "That doesn't mean there's still not competition. But I do think you have to narrow the reps — or at least balance up the reps — of who you anticipate has come out of the spring in a position to be a starter." Baltimore Ravens

The Bottom Line

Cleveland averaged 16.4 points per game in 2025 — 31st in the NFL — while cycling through multiple quarterbacks without establishing any rhythm. The Browns finished near the bottom of the league in passing production, averaging just 165.2 passing yards per game. The offense lacked continuity, and that made it difficult to evaluate anyone. Yardbarker

Monken sees that and is refusing to repeat it. One quarterback gets the bulk of reps. One voice in the huddle. One timing structure with receivers. That's how you build an offense.

The Browns' voluntary workout program begins April 7 — the first day the coaching staff can officially work with quarterbacks. Monken also confirmed a voluntary minicamp during the week of the NFL Draft. Cleveland Browns

The evaluation starts soon. And based on everything we've seen so far — Shedeur Sanders is positioned to enter that process with the edge.

But nothing is locked in. And Monken made that clear too.

"How players compete, how they approach their job and their every day diligence — that's non-negotiable."

The competition is open. The circus is closed.

— Chef Zae | The CrocPot Podcast Cleveland Browns coverage across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram & Facebook @ChefZae