Shedeur Sanders’ development remains one of the most important storylines in Cleveland heading into the 2026 season. The Browns do not have a settled answer at quarterback, and that uncertainty has naturally placed extra focus on Sanders entering his Year 2.
While he is expected to be firmly in the mix for the starting job, questions remain about how well his skill set aligns with what head coach Todd Monken typically values. One of the biggest discussion points is mobility, especially in a league that increasingly leans on quarterbacks who can extend plays outside structure. Monken addressed that topic directly this week, offering a candid but measured assessment of Sanders.
Todd Monken Explains Where Shedeur Sanders Fits In Today’s NFL
Speaking recently to the media, Monken was asked about the growing importance of quarterback mobility and how that trait factors into player evaluation. Rather than reducing the position to scrambling ability alone, the Browns head coach made it clear that movement skills matter — but only as part of a much bigger picture.
“Most coaches would have an affinity for quarterbacks that are mobile, but they also have an affinity for quarterbacks that can complete passes and are really good on third down and in two-minute,” Monken said, via Cleveland.com.
Monken then expanded on why mobility has become more valuable in today’s NFL, especially as defenses have become faster, more complex, and more aggressive up front.
“So certainly with the league and the way it’s gone, and the multiple looks you get defensively and the elite rushers that you get, it’s certainly beneficial to have a quarterback that can escape, especially considering the No. 1 pass play you’re going to have in the NFL is scramble drill,” Monken added.
He continued by emphasizing that while mobility helps, it should not be treated as the only meaningful trait of a quarterback. “So it certainly benefits you to have a mobile quarterback, but ultimately that’s just a piece of it,” He continued. “It’d a big piece of it, but it’s also, you’re not seeing nearly as many statues at quarterback.”
Finally, Monken brought the conversation directly back to Sanders, offering perhaps the clearest public view yet of how he sees the young quarterback physically.
“Players that are now considered less mobile 15 years ago would have been considered mobile,” the coach said. “They’re just not now because it’s completely flipped to where there’s a lot more elite mobility guys than there’s ever been. I think Shedeur is mobile, he’s just not like some of the others.”
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That honest evaluation comes at a time when Sanders remains the most intriguing option in a Browns QB room full of uncertainty. Deshaun Watson has not played since 2024 and is still trying to recover both physically and professionally.
Sanders’ rookie numbers reflected both his promise and his inconsistency. According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he posted a 56.9 QBi score and an F grade, ranking 46th among 51 eligible quarterbacks for the season.
Across 8 appearances and 7 starts, he completed 120 passes for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Still, his ceiling flashed in moments, especially in Week 14 against the Titans, when he threw for 364 yards and 3 passing touchdowns and added a rushing score.
That performance is part of why Cleveland is still willing to see what Sanders can become. He may not be the kind of elite athlete who instantly changes the geometry of a defense, but if he sharpens the rest of his game, he could still give the Browns their best path forward.
