With Cleveland’s regular season opener in Jacksonville just days away, one lingering question about the quarterback room finally has a clear answer. Longtime Cleveland reporter Tony Grossi asked Todd Monken whether Shedeur Sanders would be active as the team’s backup quarterback for Sunday’s game, and the head coach gave a simple response.
Monken shared that he expects Shedeur Sanders to be the active QB2 on Sunday.
“Todd Monken on whether he anticipates Shedeur Sanders being active as QB2 on Sunday, I do,” Grossi posted.
Todd Monken on whether he anticipates Shedeur Sanders being active as QB2 on Sunday: 'I do."
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) September 9, 2026
Deshaun Watson enters the opener as the starter after beating out Sanders in a competitive camp battle, but the rookie’s standing as the clear backup ensures Cleveland has an experienced enough option ready to step in. With Dillon Gabriel currently sidelined on injured reserve for the first 4 weeks of the season, Sanders being active as QB2 rather than Taylen Green reflects Cleveland sticking with its more proven option in the event of an emergency.
There have been rumors lately that Monken was considering have Sanders inactive and making Taylen Green the QB2 in Sunday’s game. Having Monken confirm it removes any uncertainty heading into a Week 1 matchup already surrounded by plenty of storylines, from Watson’s return to Cleveland’s retooled defense making its debut under Mike Rutenberg without Myles Garrett.
Watson gets the first opportunity to prove himself ahead of a long season, with Sanders standing by as a legitimate option should the situation call for a change. Whether that scenario ever actually materializes remains to be seen, but knowing Sanders is locked in as the active backup gives Cleveland a level of clarity heading into the season that has been largely absent from the quarterback conversation for much of the offseason.
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