Browns Coach Defends Shedeur Sanders' Rookie Season

Monken says Colorado offense wasn't NFL-ready, gives QB a pass on struggles

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:36am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the throwing motion of a football player, conceptually representing the challenges of transitioning from college to the professional level.A cubist interpretation of a Browns quarterback's throwing motion captures the complexity of the NFL game that rookie Shedeur Sanders is still mastering.Cleveland Today

In his first season with the Cleveland Browns, new head coach Todd Monken is defending rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whose transition from college to the NFL was a challenge. Despite an unexpected draft slide and limited early reps, Sanders still earned a Pro Bowl selection, though his first year was rocky at times.

Why it matters

Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was a highly touted prospect coming out of college. His struggles in his rookie season with the Browns raised questions about his readiness for the NFL, but Monken's comments suggest the team remains high on the young QB's potential.

The details

Monken acknowledged that Sanders' adjustment to the NFL game was difficult, saying the offense he ran at Colorado was not NFL-ready. However, the coach praised Sanders' resilience and growth over the course of the season, which culminated in a Pro Bowl selection despite the early challenges.

  • Monken was introduced as the Browns' new head coach just under 3 months ago.
  • Sanders' rookie season with the Browns ended with a Pro Bowl selection.

The players

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who is defending his rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders

The rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, who had a challenging first season in the NFL after a surprising draft slide.

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What they’re saying

“You know we tried to draft your a-- last year”

— Todd Monken, Browns Head Coach

The takeaway

Monken's comments suggest the Browns remain committed to developing Shedeur Sanders and believe his struggles as a rookie were more a product of the transition from college to the NFL than a reflection of his long-term potential.