Whoever succeeded the departed Kevin Stefanski as head coach of the Cleveland Browns would immediately face questions about the team’s quarterback position, which includes a pair of particularly polarizing figures.
One of those, Deshaun Watson, isn’t likely to figure into the organization’s long-term plans after multiple disappointing seasons following the signing of the largest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history back in 2022. However, the other, Shedeur Sanders, could very well be under center come Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Todd Monken’s Offensive Resume Holds Promise for Shedeur Sanders
Following a tumultuous start to his rookie experience that began with a now-infamous NFL Draft tumble, Sanders eventually served as the Browns’ starting quarterback for the final seven games of the 2025 season.
There were plenty of shortcomings exhibited by the Colorado product during his time on the field, during which he threw for 1,400 yards but completed only 56.6% of his passes and generated a 7:10 TD:INT.
Sanders’ initial NFL tutelage naturally came courtesy of Stefanski and his staff, but the soon-to-be second-year signal-caller will have a different voice in his headset in 2026 — Monken, who’s fresh off a three-year stint as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator.
Part of that tenure included the Ravens’ memorable 2024 offensive performance, one that saw Baltimore lead the NFL with 426.5 total yards per game (including the postseason) and the offensive unit post a 90.2 (A-) PFSN Offense Impact Score.
Spearheading that stellar effort was quarterback Lamar Jackson, who put together a career-best season with 4,172 yards and a 41:4 TD:INT along with 915 rushing yards and an additional 4 scores in 17 regular-season games. Notably, Jackson also averaged a career-best 8.8 yards per attempt, recorded a career-high 56 completions of 20+ yards, and managed a 94.2 (A) PFSN QB Impact Score.
Browns Analyst Extols the Potential of a Monken-Shedeur Partnership
Given shining examples of Monken’s impact — which, in addition to Lamar’s 2024 campaign, also include his work as offensive coordinator during the Georgia Bulldogs’ consecutive national title seasons in 2021 and 2022 — one Cleveland Browns analyst is convinced the new head coach’s willingness to allow his quarterbacks to be aggressive and Sanders’ mental and physical makeup could be an ideal marriage.
Nick Pedone of Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan recently explained his optimism thusly: “I just look at Shedeur that has, I think, what it takes to survive in Cleveland between the ears and you’ve got somebody in Todd Monken that has a little bit of a reputation for wanting his QBs to rip it…I think that could be a really fun marriage.”
“I just look at Shedeur that has, I think, what it takes to survive in Cleveland between the ears and you’ve got somebody in Todd Monken that has a little bit of a reputation for wanting his QBs to rip it…I think that could be a really fun marriage.”
🚨 @NickPedone12 w/… https://t.co/prUuhxdBf3 pic.twitter.com/on8OhbhOcf
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) February 2, 2026
While Jackson and Sanders’ skill sets certainly vary to some degree, the latter exhibits some of the same improvisational style and mobility as the two-time MVP.
Monken may well welcome the challenge of trying to mold Sanders into a full-fledged, competent NFL starter as the Browns look to maximize value from a fifth-round pick that many had pegged as a Day 1 selection.
While Cleveland does have two first-round picks — No. 6 and No. 24 overall — in the 2026 NFL Draft, Pedone and co-host Lance Reisland pointed out the team is likely best served keeping those selections instead of trying to move up to start over again at the position with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Instead, they suggest, investing the two premium picks in adding elite offensive-line or skill-position prospects could be the foundation for a resounding start to the Sanders-Monken partnership.
