Browns Hire Monken, Shedeur Sanders Poised for Opportunity

New OC Todd Monken's QB expertise could benefit young signal-caller Sanders.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Cleveland Browns have hired Todd Monken as their new offensive coordinator, a move that could benefit second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Despite an up-and-down rookie season, Sanders will have a chance to develop under Monken's tutelage and in a system tailored to his strengths, rather than the one he struggled in last year.

Why it matters

The Browns' quarterback situation has been in flux, with multiple starters seeing time in 2025. Monken's hiring signals the team's commitment to developing their young QB options, including Sanders, rather than immediately pursuing a high-profile veteran. This could give Sanders the opportunity he needs to prove himself as the team's long-term answer at the position.

The details

Monken, known for his work with quarterbacks, was hired in part due to his ability to mold his offensive scheme to the strengths of the Browns' current QB group, which includes Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel. This should allow Sanders, who had an uneven rookie campaign, to focus on his development rather than trying to adapt to a system that didn't fully utilize his skillset.

  • The Browns hired Todd Monken as their new offensive coordinator in February 2026.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

A second-year quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who is looking to build on an up-and-down rookie season.

Todd Monken

The new offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, hired in 2026 for his expertise in developing quarterbacks.

Deshaun Watson

A veteran quarterback on the Browns' roster who will compete with Sanders and others for playing time.

Dillon Gabriel

Another quarterback option on the Browns' roster who will vie for the starting job.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns who has said the team will explore its quarterback options this offseason.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Even as general manager Andrew Berry had said that Cleveland would explore its quarterback options this offseason, part of Monken's appeal was his ability to work with the team's current group of quarterbacks – Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel – and meld his scheme to their differing skill sets.”

— Daniel Oyefusi, ESPN reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Browns will continue to evaluate their quarterback options this offseason, including through the draft, but Shedeur Sanders will have a chance to prove himself under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken's tutelage.

The takeaway

The Browns' hiring of Todd Monken as offensive coordinator represents a commitment to developing their young quarterback options, particularly Shedeur Sanders, rather than immediately pursuing a high-profile veteran. This could give Sanders the opportunity he needs to solidify himself as the team's long-term answer at the position.