Todd Monken just confirmed it: Shedeur Sanders is officially the Browns’ backup quarterback for Sunday’s season opener against Jacksonville. This isn’t just a minor depth chart shuffle; it sets the stage for a season that could get wild fast in Cleveland, especially with how things have gone with the starting signal-caller.
Monken’s Two Words That Set the Scene
Browns head coach Todd Monken had everyone’s eyebrows raised earlier in the week when he talked about potentially using rookie Taylen Green for some special plays. He even brought up how tricky it is to have three quarterbacks active on game day. But if you thought Green was making a lightning-fast jump up the depth chart, think again. When Monken was hit with the direct question on Wednesday about whether Sanders would be the backup against the Jaguars, his answer was straight to the point: “I do.” That’s it. Two words, but they tell you everything you need to know about the pecking order right now.
Why This Backup Spot Is Such a Big Deal
Here’s the real kicker, though. This isn’t just about who’s holding the clipboard. Deshaun Watson’s track record includes a string of injuries and, let’s be honest, a string of poor play. That means Sanders, the guy behind him, could be thrown into the fire sooner than anyone expects. Last year, in his rookie season, Sanders got into eight games, starting seven of them. He completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, tossed seven touchdowns, but also threw 10 interceptions. The other rookie QB, Taylen Green, whom the Browns drafted in the sixth round out of Arkansas this year, is clearly a step behind.
So, get ready, Cleveland. The Browns are on the road to play Jacksonville at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Every snap, every hit, every single play will have Browns fans holding their breath, wondering if they’re about to see Sanders get pressed into duty, and what that might mean for their early season hopes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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