Todd Monken closes in on his quarterback decision

The decision regarding Cleveland's starting quarterback is imminent for head coach Todd Monken. Speaking after Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Monken jokingly mentioned that he must soon determine which player will receive the majority of the reps. Monken emphasized that the team has done its best to evaluate the situation internally.

He will review film on Sunday and discuss the findings with the coaching staff to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues that plagued the offense during poor performances. Monken attributed the struggles to alignment, assignment, and communication problems, particularly with the third-stringer Dillon Gabriel, whose performance was particularly disastrous in one three-and-out drive.

Monken praised Sanders' ability to control the game with a strong cadence and highlighted the importance of maintaining it throughout the game. He mentioned that the team had chances in the first half to capitalize on the situation but failed to do so. Monken also addressed Watson's performance, expressing disappointment in the lack of offensive execution.

He stated that while he is proud of Watson's work ethic, the team needs to improve its performance, both individually and collectively, to avoid facing the same issues in the future. Monken acknowledged that the boos directed at Watson were not solely based on his performance but rather stemmed from the circumstances surrounding his arrival and presence on the roster.

He expressed the belief that if Watson were to start in Week 3, he would likely hear the boos throughout the season. Ultimately, Monken's decision between Sanders and Watson will be influenced by subjectivity and discretion, with the fans' loud and clear stance potentially making Sanders the most appropriate choice.