Sanders reportedly rebuffed Baltimore’s attempts to draft him because Lamar Jackson would have been the starter. He preferred the opportunity to compete for a starting role, an option he secured when the Browns drafted him. Ironically, Jackson dealt with injuries in 2025, which could have opened the door to playing time in Baltimore had the Ravens selected him.
Monken arrives in Cleveland with a long coaching résumé that dates back to 1989, when he began as a graduate assistant at Grand Valley State. He spent time in college football, then moved to the NFL as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ wide receivers coach. He later served as a head coach at Ole Miss (2013-2015) and has had three NFL offensive coordinator roles, including a stint with the Browns in 2019 and, most recently, two seasons as the Ravens’ OC.
Reaction to the hire among Browns fans is mixed, with questions about fit and the path to sustained success. Some view Monken’s offense-first background as a promising direction, while others await to see how his system translates to Cleveland’s roster.
Sanders’ rookie numbers showed room for growth: 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, plus 169 rushing yards and a rushing score on 21 carries. He now enters a full offseason under Monken, providing a clearer window for development and system implementation.
Monken’s opening jokes aside, the real test will be turning the Browns’ offseason momentum into results on game day. The organization and its fan base will be watching closely as Monken, Sanders, and the rest of Cleveland’s staff build toward 2026. This report initially appeared on ClutchPoints.
