PHOENIX — For Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken, the annual NFL league meeting was supposed to be a milestone moment. It marked his first appearance as the franchise’s leader among his peers, a ceremonial gathering where all 32 head coaches assemble for the traditional group photograph. However, in a twist of scheduling irony, Monken found himself absent from the picture, not due to a strategic oversight, but because of a haircut.
The incident, which unfolded during the league’s spring meetings in Phoenix, highlights the logistical challenges coaches face even during downtime. Monken had meticulously planned his appearance, scheduling a grooming appointment specifically to ensure he looked sharp for the camera. According to reports, he had noted the photo session was set for noon Pacific time. However, a preceding coaches meeting concluded earlier than anticipated, prompting the group to convene for the photograph ahead of schedule.
By the time Monken arrived, the opportunity had passed. The realization came when he crossed paths with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, who informed him that the photo had already been taken. Monken was not the only high-profile absentee; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was also missing from the final assembly. Despite the missed photo op, Monken’s focus quickly shifted from grooming logistics to the pressing football decisions awaiting him in Cleveland.
Quarterback Competition Heats Up
While the group photo mix-up provided a moment of levity, the substantive discussions in Phoenix centered on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart. Entering his first season at the helm, Monken faces a complex decision regarding the starter for the upcoming campaign. The roster features veteran Deshaun Watson, who is working his way back from an Achilles injury, alongside younger talents Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Watson’s recovery timeline remains a critical variable. The veteran signal-caller suffered a significant injury that sidelined him for portions of the previous season, creating an opening for the team’s younger prospects to gain valuable experience. During the 2025 season, former head coach Kevin Stefanski turned to Sanders after Gabriel struggled and subsequently sustained an injury. Sanders capitalized on the opportunity, securing his first career victory against the Las Vegas Raiders in the latter part of the season.
With the Browns’ offseason program officially scheduled to begin on April 7, speculation regarding the depth chart is intensifying. Monken addressed the media on Tuesday, offering insight into how the coaching staff intends to manage the quarterback reps during training. Although he declined to name a definitive starter, he indicated that the workload would not be distributed evenly among the contenders.
“I don’t expect the reps to be divided equally,” Monken said, according to reporting from the Akron Beacon Journal. This statement suggests that the coaching staff has already begun to formulate a hierarchy, likely influenced by performance data from the conclude of the previous year.
Evaluating the Options
Monken emphasized that the staff’s evaluation process would rely heavily on historical performance and recent form. “Basically what we’ve seen in the past and where the year ended last year” will serve as the baseline for their decisions, he noted. This approach places significant weight on the momentum Sanders built toward the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Analysts suggest that Sanders may hold a slight advantage entering the offseason program. With Watson still navigating his rehabilitation from the Achilles tear, the rookie has had more recent live-game repetitions. Gabriel, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after a challenging stint as a starter that was cut short by injury.
The situation in Cleveland remains fluid. While Monken has a plan in mind, he stressed that he is not yet ready to publicly anoint a QB1. The upcoming weeks of organized team activities and minicamps will be crucial in solidifying the depth chart. For Monken, ensuring his players are prepared takes precedence over his own appearance in a group photograph.
What Comes Next for the Browns
As the league meetings conclude, attention turns to the facility in Berea, Ohio. The start of the offseason program on April 7 will mark the first time Monken’s full coaching staff works with the quarterbacks in a structured environment. The distribution of reps during these sessions will offer the first concrete indicators of where Monken stands on the QB1 debate.
For now, the narrative surrounding the Browns involves both the lighthearted anecdote of a missed photo and the serious business of roster construction. While Monken may have missed the snapshot in Phoenix, his presence and decisions in Cleveland will be under the microscope throughout the 2026 season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the “unequal reps” comment translates to a clear starter by the time the regular season kicks off.
Stay tuned to Archyde.com for continued coverage of the Cleveland Browns’ offseason developments and training camp updates.
