Cleveland Browns news: And we have a QB1 … for now

• Browns HC Todd Monken makes his call for QB1 against the Bears (Thomas Moore) – “It may have taken longer than he originally expected, but late Wednesday afternoon Todd Monken made the first major decision of his tenure as head coach of the Cleveland Browns.”
• Cleveland Browns Training Camp Recap: Day 13 – Monken names a starting QB (Chris Pokorny) – “Day 13 of Cleveland Browns training camp took place Wednesday, August 12. Cleveland finally announced a starting quarterback…for Saturday’s first preseason game.”
• Browns desperate for help, workout defender who didn’t play in ‘25, last full season in ‘21 (Jared Mueller) – “While much of the conversation around the Cleveland Browns is about the quarterback position, the roster is far from complete overall. While there continue to be injury concerns at the defensive tackle position, the Browns have reportedly been looking to add an edge player for a while.”
• 3 winners, 3 losers from Browns’ training camp (Barry Shuck) – “This year’s Browns training camp is different because there is a new head coach, plus many new coaches on his staff. Every year, there are plenty of new faces who just want to play this game and get paid. Certain guys ball out, while others disappoint. Here are three players who used training camp to their advantage, and another three who stood out as riding the disappointment train.”
• Browns past vs Browns present: Predicting 2026 sack totals (Abby Mueller) – “In one of the offseason’s biggest blockbuster trades, the Cleveland Browns sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and several draft picks. Garrett is coming off a career-best 23-sack season, but now that the two players are on different rosters, which one will finish the year with more sacks?”

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Cleveland Browns

• Easton Mascarenas-Arnold takes undrafted path to Browns defense (Beacon Journal) – “Easton Mascarenas-Arnold spent most of his rookie season with the Browns in relative anonymity. The linebacker from USC was signed as an undrafted free agent by the team shortly after the 2025 draft. Although he managed to earn a spot on the 53-man roster out of training camp, he spent the bulk of the season toiling in the thankless world of special teams.”
• Todd Monken not ready to say Deshaun Watson can’t be the 2020 Texans Pro Bowl version of himself that led the NFL with 4,823 yards (cleveland.com) – “Todd Monken isn’t ready to concede that Deshaun Watson, who could be his QB1 this season, can’t be the 2020 version of himself who made his third straight Pro Bowl with the Texans and led the NFL with 4,823 yards.”
• Training Camp Log, Day 13: News (QBs), camper, play and quote of the day (Browns Zone) – “raining camp will continue next week, but the fans attended for the final time. The players again stayed after practice to sign autographs, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders the most popular target.”
• Browns starting QB decision brings bad news for Shedeur Sanders (heavy.com) – “Deshaun Watson will get the first chance to make a good impression when the Cleveland Browns open the preseason. Watson will start Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, the team announced on its official website. Head coach Todd Monken informed the quarterbacks of his decision following Wednesday’s practice.”

NFL

• What have 2026 NFL rookies spent their first paychecks on? (ESPN) – “For NFL rookies, that first paycheck represents more than just a payday. After years of working toward the league — which kicks off Thursday with a full slate of Week 1 preseason games — many first-year players have used that money on long-awaited purchases and priorities.”
• Tua Tagovailoa named starting QB for preseason Week 1 against Broncos (The Falcoholic) – “This barely qualifies as news if you’ve been following the quarterback competition in Atlanta, but Tua Tagovailoa will indeed be the starter for the first preseason game against the Denver Broncos. He’ll throw his first pass as a Falcon sometime after 7 p.m. on Friday night.”
• Mike McCarthy’s QB School developed Aaron Rodgers. In Pittsburgh, he has a new class (The Athletic) – “Each grainy VHS tape in Mike McCarthy’s collection is like a time capsule, documenting different moments in a career dedicated to coaching quarterbacks. One clip shows Joe Montana, clad in Kansas City red and gold gym shorts, hopping from side to side over a bag. On another from Green Bay, Brett Favre throws on the run into a multi-colored net. There’s one of Rich Gannon jumping rope in a square and another of Jake Delhomme putting a ball around and between his legs in a figure-eight.”