Since moving on from Kevin Stefanski, the Browns have spent weeks working through a head-coaching search that ultimately ended Wednesday with the hire of former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The move was met with immediate reaction across the NFL. Almost instantly, attention turned toward quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Will Todd Monken’s Hiring Raise the Possibility of Shedeur Sanders Starting in Cleveland?
Michael Keefe, host of “The Garage Beers Podcast” and contributor to “The OBR,” pointed to Sanders as a potential beneficiary of the hire. Keefe referenced prior league chatter linking Sanders to Baltimore during the draft process, noting that Monken was among those reported to be high on the quarterback.
With Monken now in Cleveland, Keefe suggested revisiting that connection as the Browns shape their long-term plan at the position.
Feels like a winner in this situation is Shedeur Sanders.
Obviously a lot to come…but remember that Baltimore was rumored to be taking Shedeur in the draft. It was reported that Monken likes him.
— Michael Keefe (@GarageBeersMike) January 28, 2026
Sanders Sends a Public Signal on Social Media
ESPN Cleveland highlighted Sanders’ Instagram post welcoming Monken to Cleveland.
Shedeur Sanders welcome Todd Monken to Cleveland 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/sUdwtLKHhV
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 28, 2026
Many in the NFL World Took Aim at the Early Monken-Sanders Buzz
Underdog leaned into the humor of the moment by posting a video of Michael Jordan celebrating an NBA championship with the caption, “Todd Monken going from ‘Lamar Jackson’ to Pro Bowler Shedeur Sanders.”
Todd Monken going from “Lamar Jackson” to Pro Bowler Shedeur Sanderspic.twitter.com/X1RLNaJHVR https://t.co/XJKz8G1cTH
— Underdog (@Underdog) January 28, 2026
Pat Leonard of the “New York Daily News” weighed in with a sarcastic post, writing that the appeal for Monken was the opportunity to coach “a Pro Bowl quarterback.”
Obviously the allure of coaching a Pro Bowl quarterback in Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland appealed to Todd Monken
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) January 28, 2026
Speaking on 92.3 The Fan, Daryl Ruiter reacted strongly to Cleveland’s decision to hire Monken. Ruiter said he was “stunned” by the move and suggested the Browns were not comfortable “turning the car keys over” to Rams passing-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
“They hired a guy that openly admitted he didn’t do a good job with Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP. He’s now coming here to work with Shedeur Sanders and whoever else they’re going to have in that room.”
🚨 @RuiterWrongFAN w/ @CLETalkingHeads on #Browns hire of Todd Monken https://t.co/YnsijmZjg5 pic.twitter.com/mpJbOpevZc
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) January 28, 2026
Former NFL offensive lineman Kyle Long weighed in on the Browns’ decision to hire Monken, saying he already loves the move and expects Sanders to lean into the style of offense Monken brings with him.
“I love this hire already, and I think Shedeur will really lean into this style of offense.”@Ky1eLong on the Browns hiring Todd Monken as head coach. pic.twitter.com/YeMwZTAy1p
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 28, 2026
Sam Wagman of “Footballguys” took a sarcastic view of the reaction cycle already forming around Monken’s hire, joking about the “totally rational discourse” to come over why Monken would prefer Sanders over Jaxson Dart.
Looking forward to the totally rational discourse of why Todd Monken would rather have Shedeur Sanders than Jaxson Dart!
— Sam Wagman (@swagman95) January 28, 2026
OnyxOdds posted a video of a Mississippi State quarterback being helicopter-tackled while diving for a first down, captioned, “Shedeur when Todd Monken calls the first read option of the season.”
Shedeur when Todd Monken calls the first read option of the season pic.twitter.com/njNKAYS0wj
— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) January 28, 2026
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports added another layer to the conversation by revisiting past draft discussions involving Sanders and Baltimore.
Edwards noted that the Ravens were once viewed as a potential landing spot before it became clear Sanders did not want to join a roster without a realistic path to the starting job.
The Ravens were going to take Shedeur Sanders until they were made aware that he did not want to be on a roster with no path to the starting job.
Now, Baltimore’s former OC, Todd Monken, is Cleveland’s head coach. He must really love Shedeur…
— Josh Edwards (@EdwardsCBS) January 28, 2026
The Browns have a complicated quarterback situation already, and it will be interesting to see if the hiring of Monken helps Sanders and the offense grow, or not. One thing is for certain: all eyes will be on Cleveland as this story unfolds.
