As the start of the new NFL season inches ever so close, teams are beginning to announce their starting quarterbacks for Week 1. One quarterback competition that has made the rounds throughout training camp emerged from the Cleveland Browns organization involving Shedeur Sanders.
Following the surprise news that former first-round pick Deshaun Watson would be the Browns’ starting quarterback to begin the season, the media was itching to hear about how Sanders, the former seventh-round pick, would react. First-year head coach Todd Monken provided insight into the young quarterback’s reaction at his recent media availability.
Shedeur Sanders Has a Surprising Reaction After Being Named the Browns’ QB2 to Start the Season.
When the Browns announced their decision to start Watson over Sanders to begin the season, fans and the media alike were shocked.
Sanders, who played in eight games for the Browns last season, looked to be trending upwards with his play near the end of the 2025 season, but will now have to wait his turn to start in the NFL again.
Head coach Monken spoke to the media about the decision and Sanders’ reaction to the news.
“Somebody that really understands the long game,” Monken said, speaking about Sanders.
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Monken went on to praise Sanders for understanding his place on the team and his willingness to develop. The Browns’ newest head coach went on to explain how Sanders reacted when they spoke with each other after the decision to start Watson.
“We met this morning for a good long time, and all he (Sanders) had was a smile on his face because he understands what really is in front of him… He’s going to work his butt off to get better,” Monken said, praising Sanders’ work ethic.
Todd Monken said he had a long talk 1-on-1 with Shedeur Sanders this morning and that he understood the “long game.”
“All he had was a smile on his face.” pic.twitter.com/2TrzCiAaKf
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 24, 2026
Many expected Sanders to start following Watson’s preseason struggles and his latest press conference, in which he claimed he was disrespected by the fans after his Achilles injury seasons ago. However, it is clear the Browns feel Sanders has room for improvement, and they hope he can elevate his game to another level in practice as QB2.
In eight games last season, Sanders collected 1,400 passing yards, throwing for 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. According to PFN’s QB Impact Metric, Sanders earned a grade of 63.0, which was ranked second-worst in the league, only higher than Cam Ward’s in 2025.
Sanders is far from out of a job in the NFL, but he will now have to work even harder to prove to the Browns that he is deserving of being a starter in the NFL. But for now, he will have to sit back and watch Watson start with that same smile on his face.
One thing is clear: Sanders has brought the right attitude to the NFL, and he is almost certain to get another chance as an NFL starter.
