Todd Monken hire could cement Shedeur Sanders as the Browns franchise quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Cleveland Browns’ decision to appoint Todd Monken as head coach on Jan. 28, 2026, marks a clear shift in how the organization plans to solve its long-running quarterback problem.

After a 23-day search following Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal, the front office, led by Andrew Berry and owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, chose an offense-first leader with a proven history of maximizing quarterback talent. That choice immediately places Shedeur Sanders at the center of Cleveland’s reset.

Monken’s first meeting with Sanders underscored that intent. The new coach greeted the second-year quarterback with a reminder of past interest, saying,

“How are we doing, man? You know we [Ravens] tried to draft you last year. It’s all worked out. Someday we’ll get a chance to talk about that.”

The exchange, later shared by the team, reinforced that Sanders is not an inherited project but a player Monken has long believed in.

Sanders enters this new chapter after a turbulent but revealing rookie season. Drafted in the fifth round at No. 144 overall, he started seven of eight appearances in 2025 and finished with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 56.6% completion rate.

Those numbers exceeded historical production from quarterbacks selected in that range, even as sacks and turnovers highlighted areas for growth. With Monken now tasked with shaping the offense, Cleveland is signaling confidence that Sanders can evolve from a surprise starter into a foundational piece.

Why Monken’s system aligns with Sanders’ development

Monken arrives in Cleveland with one of the league’s most adaptable offensive resumes. Over 37 years in coaching, including 11 in the NFL, he has guided very different quarterbacks to success by tailoring schemes rather than forcing uniformity.

His most recent work in Baltimore produced Lamar Jackson’s 2023 MVP season and a historic 2024 offense that averaged 424.9 yards per game, 187.6 rushing yards, and a 74.2% red zone touchdown rate. The Ravens’ 6.8 yards per play ranked third all-time.

That flexibility matters for Sanders, whose rookie tape showed both promise and pressure. He was sacked 23 times in eight games behind an offensive line ranked 30th by Pro Football Focus, yet he also delivered defining moments, including a 364-yard, three-touchdown outing against Tennessee and a game-winning drive versus Cincinnati in Week 18.

Scouts consistently point to his composure in collapsing pockets and willingness to throw under contact, traits that fit Monken’s spacing-based approach.

There is also a personal layer to this pairing. Reports from the 2025 draft indicated Sanders declined interest from Baltimore due to Lamar Jackson’s presence. Monken’s reminder,

“Hey, we tried to draft your ass last year for God’s sake. It’s all worked out. You remember that, right?” reflects mutual respect forged before Sanders ever took an NFL snap.

Now aligned in Cleveland, both sides appear positioned to test whether belief, scheme and opportunity can finally give the Browns the quarterback stability they have chased since 1999.