The Cleveland Browns made some big moves in free agency, and all the buzz is now around Shedeur Sanders, who appears to be the early leader to win the Browns’ starting quarterback job. However, the biggest concern now revolves around the offensive line and how it could affect offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s plans. If protection issues continue, Monken may have to adjust his system early in the season to protect Sanders and keep the offense stable. That concern was recently raised on The Matt Fontana Show, where Matt Fontana questioned whether Cleveland’s right side of the offensive line is strong enough to support the offense.

“Dude, do you know Tytus Howard is the third-highest-paid right tackle in football on average per year? Average per year,” Matt Fontana said on Tuesday in a clip shared on X, before pointing to what he believes could become a bigger issue for the Browns’ offense. “It’s like Penei Sewell and Lane Johnson, Tytus Howard. The thing is, if you put (guard) Zion Johnson on the right side, what a dichotomy. You got a right tackle who can’t run block, and you got a right guard potentially that can’t pass block. Okay, good luck, Todd Monken.”

Fontana’s comment was meant to highlight the gap between salary expectations and on-field performance. While tackle/guard Howard is paid among the top right tackles in the league, his run blocking has been questioned at times. And with Cleveland’s right side showing potential issues, Todd Monken could face real challenges.

If gaps start appearing there, opposing defenders will likely target that area. As a result, Monken may need to adjust his play-calling and the players’ positions, possibly incorporating more short throws. Quarterback movement could also become part of the plan to mix things up. Keeping pressure off the quarterback will be important, so additional blocking schemes might also come into play.

The Browns already dealt with instability on the offensive line last season. Injuries and lineup changes made it difficult for the offense to stay consistent throughout the year.

According to ESPN team stats, Cleveland allowed 51 sacks during the 2025 season, showing just how much protection was already an issue before the offseason began. Because of that, Cleveland’s front office focused on strengthening the offensive line.

Adding Tytus Howard, who is earning an average of $18.6 million per year, gave the line an experienced presence at tackle, while Zion Johnson was expected to bring stability on the interior.

According to ESPN’s win-rate data, Zion Johnson performed much better as a run blocker than in pass protection last season. His run-block win rate was 79.3%, which ranked second among interior linemen. However, his 87.4% pass-block win rate was much lower compared to other guards. Because of this difference, some analysts believe the right side of the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line could struggle in clear passing situations.

For a young quarterback like Shedeur Sanders, protection matters more than anything because clean pockets allow quarterbacks to read defenses and stay calm. Sanders is still adjusting to the NFL level. During the 2025 regular season, he threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Those numbers show why protection will be crucial if the Browns want him to develop properly.

This is where Todd Monken comes in. His system will need to adjust based on how well the line performs. That could mean quicker passes, more movement, or extra blockers. At the same time, expectations around Sanders are rising fast. He is not just seen as a future option anymore. Many believe he could push for a starting role sooner than expected.

Browns fans split as Shedeur Sanders gets “winner” tag after free agency

While protection concerns continue, there is another side to this story. Many believe Sanders came out as the biggest winner simply because of the opportunity in front of him. Cleveland reporter Anthony Lima shared on X that the Browns helped Sanders not just with signings, but by avoiding competition.

“For Shedeur Sanders, [free agency] was a massive win,” Lima said on Monday. “Let’s face it, if they brought in Malik Willis, that would’ve been a big-time loss. Everybody naturally says it’s Deshaun Watson’s job to lose because they remember Deshaun Watson from five years ago. We’ve seen him more recently, and he’s not been good.”

That decision highlights that the Browns did not add another quarterback, which means Sanders will get a fair shot to compete. Lima also spoke about the current situation involving Deshaun Watson.

It reflects a growing opinion. Watson’s past performances have not matched his earlier success, and that has opened the door for competition. Watson’s time in Cleveland has been limited by injuries and inconsistency. In 19 games with the Browns, he has thrown for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Therefore, Lima finished with a strong statement.

“They want Shedeur Sanders to win until further notice.”

That line says a lot about the direction of the team. The Browns may not say it publicly, but the setup clearly gives Sanders a real chance. Still, opportunity alone is not enough. The biggest test will be how the offense performs once the season begins. If the offensive line struggles, it could affect the entire offense.

Shedeur Sanders may be viewed as one of the biggest winners of free agency, but his situation in Cleveland is not without concerns. The Browns added pieces to the offensive line, yet questions about how well the unit fits together remain. For Todd Monken, the task will be finding ways to make the offense work around those issues. If the protection holds up, Sanders could develop quickly. If it doesn’t, those early concerns about the line may become a real problem for the offense.