BEREA, Ohio — The ink is barely dry on Todd Monken’s contract as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, but the honeymoon is already over. The reason? An $80.7 million elephant in the room named Deshaun Watson. While Monken arrives in Cleveland with a reputation for offensive fireworks—fresh off another dominant run calling plays in Baltimore—his first massive test isn’t on the field. It’s figuring out how to manage a quarterback room that features a Pro Bowl sophomore in Shedeur Sanders, a lurking talent in Dillon Gabriel, and the most expensive salary cap hit in NFL history.
The $80.7 Million Question
Let’s look at the math, because the numbers don’t lie. Deshaun Watson heads into the 2026 season—the final year of his fully guaranteed $230 million deal—carrying a staggering $80.7 million cap hit. That figure effectively handcuffs the front office. You don’t pay a player that kind of cash to hold a clipboard, yet Watson’s availability remains the franchise’s biggest “what if.”
Since the blockbuster trade in 2022, Watson has appeared in just 19 of 68 possible games. That unavailability is a roster-building nightmare. Monken, known for maximizing talent, now faces a unique gridiron chess match: Does he hand the keys to the veteran simply because of the price tag, or does he trust the kid who just lit up the league?
The Sanders Surge vs. The Stefanski Favorite
If the money demands Watson starts, the game film argues for Shedeur Sanders. The second-year gunslinger didn’t just survive his rookie campaign; he thrived amidst the chaos. despite a turbulent 2025 season that saw Kevin Stefanski shown the door, Sanders flashed enough brilliance to snag a Pro Bowl nod. His ability to extend plays mirrors the style Monken successfully deployed with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.
Then there’s Dillon Gabriel. The former Oregon standout was a Stefanski darling, but with the coaching regime change, he finds himself in limbo. Gabriel possesses the accuracy Monken loves, yet he might be the odd man out in this high-stakes musical chairs.
“I’m intrigued. I’m just as excited to work with [Deshaun] as I am Shedeur, Dillon, and anyone else we acquire. The talent is undeniable, but talent only gets you so far. We need execution.” — Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns Head Coach
Monken’s “Air Raid” History
Monken isn’t a stranger to Cleveland or difficult QB situations. He called plays for the Browns in 2019 during the Baker Mayfield roller coaster. But his recent resume screams adaptability. He turned the Buccaneers into an aerial circus and then pivoted to build a terrifyingly balanced attack for the Ravens. If anyone can squeeze the last drop of production out of Watson—or fully unlock Sanders—it’s him.
What’s Next: The April Showdown
The real work begins in April when the offseason program kicks off. Expect a “competition” in name, but the financial reality dictates that Watson gets the first crack at the starting job. However, Monken has zero ties to the Watson trade. If the veteran falters or the injury bug bites again, Monken won’t hesitate to pivot to Sanders. The leash will be short, and the pressure in Berea will be suffocating.
