The Cleveland Browns are expected to add to their quarterback room following the hiring of Todd Monken, which could be bad news for Shedeur Sanders as he looks to hang onto the starting job.
The Browns hired Monken on Wednesday, bringing in an offense-focused head coach to lead their team. As it stands, Sanders is the favorite to be the starter next season. However, Monken — who wasn’t involved in drafting Sanders or Dillon Gabriel — will likely investigate how the Browns can add to their quarterback room, per ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler.
“I think there are 32 NFL head coaching jobs. So if you’re almost 60 years old and never had a crack at one, you’re probably going to take it. That’s the reality of it. I don’t think it was a matter of ‘I want to work with Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.’ I think Todd can help get the best out of those guys, but I expect the Browns to add there,” Fowler said during an appearance on ESPN Cleveland. “I think the shakeup would have been there regardless of whether it was Monken or someone else. Whether it’s trying to swing a trade, or a Malik Willis-type in free agency, or investing in the draft with Ty Simpson from Alabama. There are options out there, even if it seems somewhat bleak.”
The Browns hold the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft and will select again at No. 24.
Browns Did Not Commit to Shedeur Sanders
After opening the year buried on the depth chart, Sanders climbed into the starting role through a mix of hard work and a little good fortune. He finished 3-4 as Cleveland’s starter, throwing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The numbers won’t jump off the page, but context matters. Sanders played behind a patchwork offensive line and rarely had consistent weapons around him.
After the season, Browns general manager Andrew Berry declined to commit to Sanders.
“I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year. I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position. He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are,” Berry said. “Now that all being said, we’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified. I can’t sit here and tell you today, you know, whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external. But it’s something that we’re going to work through over the next several weeks. And quite honestly, the new head coach will also have a lot of input into that as well.”
Shedeur Sanders Responds to Browns Hiring Todd Monken
Sanders has said he’s not spending time worrying about what the future might hold for him in Cleveland.
“I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now. So, I’m always the same, confidence-wise, I’m there,” Sanders said. “But like, that’s not in my hands. Like, that’s not my decision. I can’t speak on what other people feel.”
Sanders now knows who his next head coach will be. He reacted on social media to the team hiring Monken, writing, “Time for work.”
The Browns will also have Gabriel and Deshaun Watson under contract for next season. Watson missed all of last year after a pair of Achilles surgeries but is expected to be in the mix.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Gets Bad News After Monken Hire