BEREA, Ohio — The show must go on.As the Cleveland Browns started mandatory minicamp and the final phase of their offseason program on Tuesday, coach Todd Monken confirmed the expected and told reporters he will not be naming a winner in the ongoing quarterback competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson until some point in training camp or the preseason.Sanders took all the 11-on-11 reps with the No. 1 offense in Tuesday’s practice. Monken said that will “flip” on Wednesday with Watson running the first team, then the reps will be split in Thursday’s practice, the last of the offseason program. Though Monken said multiple times earlier in the offseason that he hoped to name a starter by the end of the offseason program or early in training camp, the first-year coach said his plans have changed based on what he’s seen over the last four weeks.“As much as I’d love to make that decision, either by someone separating themselves upward or downward, (that) has not occurred,” Monken said. “We haven’t even gotten to practicing against an opponent (or) putting the pads on.“They’ve both played well enough to have the right to compete to start.”The optics of the competition have changed, at least from the sideline. After Watson was first in line and got the bulk of the competitive reps with the No. 1 offense in the first two offseason practices open to reporters, Sanders has been the primary No. 1 quarterback in each of the last two open practices. Monken referencing the rotation for the rest of the week implies that it’s been a 50-50 split for most of the way, and Watson being first up in 7-on-7 drills Tuesday matches the way previous practice reps were split.Sanders seems to be carrying himself with more confidence and has thrown with better accuracy over the last two practices than he seemingly did early on. Monken won’t say if the team’s decision to move on from Myles Garrett and embrace what’s almost certainly going to be one of the league’s youngest rosters affects the team’s quarterback plans, but it should. Watson is only under contract for one more season, and if he’s going to revive his NFL career, it seems unlikely it would happen in Cleveland. Sanders is on his standard rookie contract through 2028, and if what Monken has said about Sanders’ growth and improvement this spring is true, the Browns should continue to give him every chance to develop and win the job.Even if the Browns end up being all in on the 2027 draft as it relates to their perpetual quarterback search, the plan now should be to get the fullest evaluation possible of Sanders.Up and downAfter an especially ugly showing in last week’s open organized team activity practice, the pass game was a little better Tuesday — and certainly better later in practice than it was early. Watson hit Tylan Wallace on a perfectly placed deep ball, then had a short pass to Luke Floriea turn into a big gain during a situational drill to end the session. Watson threw the day’s only interception two plays after his connection with Wallace when he tried to jam a pass into traffic and it was tipped back toward the defensive line.The offensive standouts of the spring continue to be second-year wide receiver Isaiah Bond and rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston, who has been working with the No. 2 offense early in practice but has earned plenty of starter’s reps in the competitive periods. Boston had to stop and come back for a Sanders deep ball early in practice, but Boston extended over the defender to haul in a pass that resulted in a gain of about 40 yards. It was notable that Sanders started one of the 11-on-11 periods with a quick out to Boston, which can be taken as a sign of confidence in the rookie.Bond looks like a stronger, more confident player in his second NFL season. He didn’t have an offseason program as a rookie — the Browns didn’t sign him until he was cleared of a sexual assault claim last August — but Bond’s speed has shown up as Monken tries to implement a vertical passing game. Bond has made notable receptions in each of the last three open practices and looks to be a trusted target of both quarterbacks.The notable numbers from Bond’s rookie season are his 18 receptions on 44 targets and his average gain of 18.8 yards per catch. He was not consistent, but he was one of the few Cleveland pass catchers who could create big plays.Bond clearly has an extra gear and an ability to track downfield passes, and his ability to improve his all-around game will help him win more chances in what’s certainly going to be an improved receiving corps. First-round rookie KC Concepcion continues to show his speed but also his propensity for dropped passes. Concepcion is definitely in the immediate plans, too, as the offense continues to evolve.Probably, Bond and Concepcion play the same position in at least some of the team’s personnel groupings. Potentially, the Browns could have both on the field and try to script downfield shots based on the defensive alignment.Spectators and notable namesSecond-year defensive tackle Mason Graham watched practice while wearing a protective boot on his right foot. Safety Grant Delpit was present but not participating, and Monken went the no-comment route when asked if Delpit was injured or sitting out because he wants a new contract ahead of the final year of his current one. Delpit and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. are among the notable players who haven’t participated in any of the team’s spring practices.Monken said he won’t discuss injuries but feels good that the Browns will have their full roster available for the start of training camp in late July. One potential exception is defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who won’t be rushed back from the quad injury that ended his 2025 season. Collins, like Delpit, is only signed through 2026. Cornerback Denzel Ward, whose future is uncertain now that the Browns have traded Garrett and embraced their rebuilding project, was involved with early parts of practice Tuesday but did not participate in the competitive periods.By rule, the Browns don’t have to disclose injury details until the regular season begins. Any player not cleared to participate at the start of training camp will go on the active/physically unable to perform list, but that’s just procedural and players are activated as soon as they’re ready to participate. The Browns have gotten near-full participation this spring from center/guard Elgton Jenkins and running back Quinshon Judkins, both of whom were recovering from leg injuries that ended their 2025 seasons.Probably, the Browns will start summer as a mostly healthy team. And with an offense that’s still in the competition and installation stage, we likely won’t see most positional competitions really heat up until the pads come on in training camp. KT Leveston worked as the right guard with the No. 1 offense on Tuesday. Leveston, who started games at both tackle spots last year, has worked at both tackle and guard this spring, depending on the availability of the other linemen. Leveston, Teven Jenkins, Jack Conley and rookie tackle Austin Barber are among the players expected to be involved in the right guard battle at some point. Elgton Jenkins has played mostly at center but would be an option at right guard if the Browns decided to play rookie Parker Brailsford at center. Brailsford took some reps with the No. 1 offense on Tuesday.Jun 10, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms