Browns HC Todd Monken Sees Potential in QB Shedeur Sanders

The new Cleveland coach believes the young QB has something to build on despite a rough rookie season.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a quarterback dropping back to pass, with the player's body and the football broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.A new coaching staff sees promise in a young quarterback's raw talent, hoping to mold him into the Browns' future under center.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Browns were able to land former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of last year's NFL Draft, despite most analysts projecting him to go much higher. After the Browns' Dillon Gabriel experiment failed, Sanders took over as the starting QB for the final eight games of the season, throwing for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. In a recent interview, new Browns head coach Todd Monken praised Sanders' playmaking ability and inner confidence, saying 'there's something to work with there' as they look to develop the young QB.

Why it matters

The Browns are hoping to build around Sanders as their quarterback of the future after a disappointing 2025 season. Monken's positive assessment of the rookie's potential is an encouraging sign as the team looks to get the most out of their fifth-round draft steal.

The details

Sanders somehow fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, despite being viewed as a potential first or second-round pick by many analysts. After the Browns' Dillon Gabriel experiment failed, Sanders took over as the starting QB for the final eight games of the season, throwing for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also adding 167 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

  • Sanders took over as the Browns' starting QB for the final 8 games of the 2025 season.

The players

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Shedeur Sanders

The Browns' fifth-round draft pick in 2025, who took over as the team's starting quarterback for the final 8 games of the season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think you see playmaking ability, I think you see a player that is confident in his skill set. So when you see that playmaking ability and inner confidence, you say, 'Ok, there's something to work with here.' So I think that's the thing that excites you.”

— Todd Monken, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns

“Now, it's gonna be our fault if we can't develop them. Then it's our fault. Our job is to develop all the players that show up in the building and try to get the best out of all of them, create the best version of them.”

— Todd Monken, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns

What’s next

The Browns will look to further develop Sanders during the offseason and heading into the 2026 season, as they hope he can become their long-term answer at quarterback.

The takeaway

Despite a rough rookie season, the Browns see enough potential in Shedeur Sanders to believe he can be their quarterback of the future. New head coach Todd Monken's positive assessment of Sanders' playmaking ability and confidence is an encouraging sign as the team works to get the most out of their fifth-round draft steal.