New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken didn’t offer Shedeur Sanders any guarantees heading into next season, making it clear the team’s quarterback depth chart remains wide open.
Sanders started the final seven games of his rookie season, going 3-4 while throwing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The fifth-round pick recently earned a Pro Bowl replacement nod, but his uneven stretch left plenty of questions about whether Cleveland can confidently hand him the keys long term.
Sanders was also among the first players to meet with Monken after the Browns hired him to replace Kevin Stefanski, signaling the former Colorado star will be a part of the early conversations. Still, Monken stopped short of endorsing Sanders as the Week 1 starter, saying the quarterback situation is “still to be determined.”
“I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined,” Monken said during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. “Am I excited about Shedeur, all the quarterbacks in the room and to coach this football team? Absolutely. I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Fan of Todd Monken
Sanders had a roller coaster rookie season, climbing Cleveland’s depth chart and eventually getting his shot. There were plenty of highs and lows along the way, but the former Colorado star believes he showed growth once he finally got on the field. Sanders is not trying to put too much energy into what the Browns will decide at QB moving forward.
“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.”
Monken has earned a reputation as a straight shooter with his players. When it comes to the quarterback situation, honesty will be valued.
“I hold the players accountable to what they say their dreams and aspirations are. You have to find out what they really want individually with their careers and collectivley as a team,” Monken said. “All you’re doing is holding them to what their dreams and aspirations are. That’s the way I go about it. Everybody likes honesty until what’s said to them honestly.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Thankful for Pro Bowl Experience
Sanders thought his rookie season was officially over once the Browns wrapped things up. So when he got the call inviting him to the Pro Bowl Games as a replacement, he admitted he was caught off guard.
Even with the Pro Bowl no longer carrying the same prestige it once did, Sanders said the experience has already been valuable — especially getting to spend time around some of the league’s top players. On the AFC side, Sanders, Joe Flacco and Joe Burrow are the quarterbacks.
“Talking to a lot of great players, seeing Joe Flacco again with the same sweatpants he wore in practice — everything. Just meeting people; it’s a great environment,” Sanders said. “I’m excited to be here. I’m thankful for it.”
Sanders is the current frontrunner for the QB1 job in Cleveland. However, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel are also expected to return and will be in the mix.
Browns Coach Todd Monken Takes Clear Stance on Shedeur Sanders