When the Cleveland Browns used a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Shedeur Sanders, it raised a few eyebrows - not because of his talent, but because of the intriguing backstory that’s now come to light.
Turns out, Sanders had another suitor before he landed in Cleveland: the Baltimore Ravens. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that pairing never materialized because Sanders made it clear he didn’t want to sit behind Lamar Jackson. And now, we’ve got confirmation - straight from someone who was in the Ravens’ war room at the time.
Todd Monken, now the Browns’ head coach and formerly the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, recently met Sanders for the first time since taking the job in Cleveland. In a moment captured on video by the Browns, Monken didn’t mince words: “We tried to draft your a** last year.
It all worked out. Someday we’ll get a chance to talk about that.”
Monken didn’t go into the details of why it didn’t happen, but the implication is clear - Baltimore was serious about Sanders. And Monken, who was part of that decision-making process, clearly saw something in the former Colorado star worth investing in. That’s a meaningful endorsement for a young quarterback trying to carve out his place in the league.
Now, Sanders enters the 2026 offseason in a very different situation - not as a backup behind an MVP like Jackson, but as a legitimate contender for the Browns’ starting job. And while nothing is guaranteed, the path is far more open in Cleveland.
Deshaun Watson remains under contract through the upcoming season, but his grip on the starting role isn’t nearly as firm as it once was. Injuries, inconsistency, and a hefty contract have complicated his standing within the organization. Sanders, meanwhile, climbed past Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart in 2025 and showed enough to warrant a serious look moving forward.
Gabriel will likely get another shot in camp, and there’s always the possibility Cleveland brings in another veteran or rookie to round out the quarterback room. But right now, Sanders has momentum - and the backing of a head coach who already believed in him once before.
The Browns haven’t had long-term stability at quarterback in decades, and while it’s too early to say Sanders is the answer, he’s positioned himself to make a real case. The fact that Baltimore - a franchise with a strong track record of evaluating talent - wanted him, and that Monken still seems excited about him, only adds to the intrigue.
Cleveland’s quarterback situation remains fluid, but one thing’s clear: Shedeur Sanders is no longer just a developmental project. He’s very much in the mix - and the Browns are watching closely to see if he can seize the moment.