Sanders, the fifth‑round pick from Colorado, started the final seven games of his rookie year, finishing 3-4 with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also earned a Pro Bowl replacement nod, despite an uneven stretch that left questions about his long‑term grasp of the job.
Monken was among the first to meet Sanders after being hired to replace Kevin Stefanski, indicating Sanders will be part of early discussions. However, Monken stopped short of endorsing him as the Week 1 starter, saying the quarterback situation is “still to be determined.”
“I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined,” Monken said at his introductory press conference. “Am I excited about Shedeur and all the quarterbacks in the room? Absolutely. I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
Sanders, for his part, stressed growth over the past season and expressed confidence in his abilities, while acknowledging the final decision isn’t in his hands. He said he focused on learning and improving, rather than worrying about Cleveland’s ultimate call on the depth chart.
Monken’s approach is in line with his reputation as a blunt, accountable coach who emphasizes honesty and clear goals. He said he will hold players to their stated dreams and aspirations, a framework he plans to use as Cleveland sorts through its QB options.
Besides Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel are also expected to be in the mix for the starting role, keeping the competition open as the Browns evaluate their best path forward. Sanders currently sits as the frontrunner, but no definitive guarantee has been issued.
