When Todd Monken first entered Berea, his way to solve their quarterback issue was a tried and tested method: an open competition. While Shedeur Sanders continued to improve relations with him, Monken’s vision stayed on their veteran Deshaun Watson. For the new head coach, Watson – despite all the injury troubles and lack of production – had once exhibited the skill set at an elite level. In fact, Monken took it as a challenge, giving him the benefit of the doubt.

But last month, Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot brought the inside interest into the open, adding fuel to the fire. It was as if to prepare the larger Brown fandom supporting Sanders for what was to come. Many speculations later, Monken is no longer hiding his preference, making one wonder if it is a soft launch of some sort.

“He’s made plenty of money,” said Todd Monken on Wednesday, via Cabot. “I think we all know that. He’s had plenty of success and has had disappointments in his career. A number of things he couldn’t control from an injury standpoint.

“But to come back and want to battle, want to further his career, and change the narrative, I think that’s really cool.”

If he wanted, Monken has another quarterback who wants to change the narrative, too. In fact, after sliding in the draft to the fifth day and fighting his way through to become a primary signal caller, Shedeur Sanders did prove his worth. That’s the reason why many in Berea are behind him. But at this point, the storyline is tilting, and it looks like the Browns are slowly feeding their way into the Dawg Pound’s brains that Watson will be their QB1. Just look at the facts…

Cabot’s report after the mini camps wasn’t well received by the team that wanted to be careful with its messaging. And every time someone asked them, they would say it’s an open competition. But the internal signals now match the reports. The flow of the information is now more purposeful. This is the NFL’s PR machinery at work, you see.

The team is slowly settling down the pact of fans behind Sanders that Watson will be the QB1 despite being a complicated figure in Cleveland.

Watson still has the athleticism that can help the Browns, despite his Achilles injury keeping him out of action for nearly 19 months. He basically hasn’t been able to produce since he was traded for. And that was after signing the biggest contract in the Browns’ history. Yet, “the benefit of the doubt” is winning.

He was the first quarterback to take individual drills during the Browns’ three-day voluntary camp before the draft. He looked sharp as he faked a toss to his right and threw a pass to a staffer about 20 yards downfield. He emerged as the favorite from the minicamp, and Cabot had a simple suggestion:

“I think they should declare [Watson] QB1 asap and let the 1st team offense start to cook,” said Mary Kay Cabot. “There’s no time to waste.”

Yet, Monken remains neutral.

Todd Monken continues to play innocent, praises Sanders

With Watson, Sanders, second-year Dillon Gabriel, and rookie sixth-rounder Taylen Green in the QB room, Monken first did not want to favor anyone. As such, he announced an open QB competition. But in the voluntary training camp, the battle remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds. For now, the head coach wants to have a clearer picture by June.

While Watson is becoming a favorite, Sanders is certainly making things interesting. In fact, after the second day on Wednesday, Monken revealed that the Colorado product is improving over the course of the training session, making progressions, seeing things, and making better decisions. That wasn’t his only message.

“It’s a different day, and you’re firing the same questions. I mean, nothing’s really changed. We’re gonna rotate those guys, and we’ll see.”

Yet, his recent praise for Watson certainly seems to paint a picture of who is likely to start at the QB position. This talk, however, will go deep into the summer, and maybe Sanders will come out at the top like last season.