Julian Lewis Praises Todd Monken, Shedeur Sanders Pairing

Colorado QB excited about new Browns head coach and his former teammate

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis expressed his approval of the Cleveland Browns hiring Todd Monken as their new head coach, praising Monken's coaching and his relationship with Shedeur Sanders, Lewis' former high school teammate who is now entering the NFL.

Why it matters

The pairing of Monken and Sanders is seen as an important development for the Browns' offense, and Lewis' endorsement of the duo carries weight as a former player of Monken's who is also closely connected to Sanders.

The details

Lewis, who is entering his second season as the unquestioned starter at Colorado, previously played under Monken when the latter was the offensive coordinator at Georgia. Lewis took to social media to praise Monken's coaching and advice, and noted his excitement for Sanders, his former high school teammate, to work with Monken in the NFL.

  • Lewis is entering his second season as the starting QB at Colorado in 2026.
  • Sanders is entering his first NFL offseason in 2026 after being drafted by the Browns.

The players

Julian Lewis

The starting quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, entering his second season in 2026.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, previously the offensive coordinator at Georgia where he recruited Lewis.

Shedeur Sanders

The rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, who will be learning Monken's offense in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Shedeur Sanders, keep going, twin! Todd Monken always gave me great advice!”

— Julian Lewis, Colorado Quarterback (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The success of both Lewis and Sanders in the 2026 season will depend on how well Monken and new Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion can position them to thrive in their respective offenses.

The takeaway

Monken's relationship with both Lewis and Sanders, as well as Lewis' endorsement of the pairing, suggests the Browns have made an important hire that could pay dividends for their young quarterback and the future of their offense.