Shedeur Sanders faced a disappointing moment on Tuesday when Todd Monken, the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, declined to confirm him as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Despite finishing the previous season as the Browns’ starting QB, Sanders is now in a position where he must compete for the role in 2026.
During his introductory press conference, Monken was asked by Mary Kay Cabot about his plans for Sanders as the starting quarterback. However, the coach chose not to make any definitive decisions regarding the quarterback position before the start of the season.
“I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined,” Monken stated. “Am I excited about Shedeur? Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Am I excited to coach this football team? Absolutely. I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
Sanders finds himself in a quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel as the Browns prepare for their first season under Monken’s leadership. Despite starting the 2025 season as the third-string quarterback, Sanders worked his way up the depth chart and eventually earned the starting role, holding onto it for the remainder of the season.
As the battle for the starting quarterback position looms, Monken has already outlined the qualities he is seeking in the team’s leader. He emphasized the importance of personality traits, leadership qualities, and the ability to perform under pressure in critical game situations.
Having previously coached Lamar Jackson to an NFL MVP award with the Baltimore Ravens, as well as playing a key role in two national championship victories with Stetson Bennett at Georgia, Monken has a proven track record of developing successful quarterbacks. This sets a high standard for the quarterbacks under his guidance, including Sanders.
In conclusion, Shedeur Sanders faces uncertainty about his future as the Browns’ starting quarterback under Todd Monken’s leadership. The competition for the starting role will be fierce, with Sanders needing to demonstrate the necessary qualities and skills to earn the trust and confidence of his new coach. As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the quarterback battle in Cleveland.
Edited by Farouk Yusuf
