Browns' Monken calls OTA interceptions 'embarrassing' but praises Watson and Sanders

The Cleveland Browns held their second OTA session on Wednesday, and the new head coach was none too impressed with how many interceptions were thrown during no-contact 7-on-7 drills.

Monken described the situation as "embarrassing."

That's not ideal when you still haven't worked out who your starting quarterback is, but it's not all doom and gloom.

Deshaun Watson leads, but the competition continues

With Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Green on the roster, Cleveland's quarterback room is full.

A strong minicamp is believed to have Watson ahead of Sanders in the race, but Monken hasn't named a starter yet.

And while the coach wasn't happy with the offense giving the ball away so easily in OTAs, he had plenty of praise about this dart from Watson to second-round rookie wideout Denzel Boston.

"That was awesome, wasn't it?" Monken said. "Wasn't that cool? I mean, I know I'm an offensive head coach, but you get a draft pick, and it's on one of the most talented guys in the league.

"It's encouraging, right? That's what you want to see. You want to see your guys, especially some of your younger draft picks, make some of those plays."

Watson ran for 1,408 yards in a three-year stint with the Houston Texans between 2018 and 2020. Monken saw enough at OTAs to suggest that Watson hasn't lost that part of his game.

"Deshaun's athleticism shows up," he said. "I wouldn't say it's a surprise, but it's exciting to see. It's a weapon for him. It's one of his superpowers, his athleticism."

'Shedeur's come miles'

Monken also commended Sanders, who took over the reins midway through 2025 and finished 3-5 as the starter.

"Shedeur's come miles, in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts. I think he's really, really come a long way," Monken said.

Cleveland opens the 2026 season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With 115 days until then, Monken has time on his side. Whether his quarterbacks give him clarity before then is another matter.