The Cleveland Browns have made their move - and it’s a bold one. Todd Monken, fresh off a three-year run as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, is officially the new head coach in Cleveland. And with that hire comes a fascinating subplot: Monken might finally get to work with the quarterback he reportedly wanted all along - Shedeur Sanders.
Let’s rewind for a second. During the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, there were whispers that Monken and the Ravens had their eyes on Sanders, the talented quarterback out of Colorado.
Baltimore never got the chance to take him, but Cleveland did - snagging Sanders in the fifth round. Fast forward to now, and the two are finally in the same building.
The Browns’ social media team gave fans a glimpse of their first interaction on Friday, and it was as real as it gets. Monken, in a candid moment with Sanders, didn’t hold back.
“Hey, we tried to draft your ass last year for God’s sake. It’s all worked out,” Monken told Sanders with a smile.
“You remember that, right? Someday we’ll get a chance to talk about that.”
For Browns fans, that’s the kind of behind-the-scenes honesty that hits just right. It’s also a reminder that Monken’s belief in Sanders isn’t new - it dates back to when he was drawing up plays in Baltimore.
Now, the question becomes: is Sanders the guy in Cleveland moving forward?
If the Browns had to play a game today, Sanders would likely be under center. He got real experience as a rookie, appearing in eight games and starting seven. That’s no small sample size, and it gave the front office and coaching staff something tangible to evaluate heading into the offseason.
Ironically, had Sanders not reportedly pushed back on the Ravens’ interest last year - reportedly due to not wanting to sit behind Lamar Jackson - he might’ve seen the field in Baltimore anyway. Jackson missed four games in 2025, opening the door for a backup to step in. But instead, Sanders found himself in Cleveland, where he got a legitimate shot to show what he could do.
Now, with Monken in charge, the pairing that almost happened in Baltimore could finally take shape in Cleveland.
Monken’s offensive resume speaks for itself. He’s known for building creative, aggressive schemes that lean into a quarterback’s strengths.
If he sees something in Sanders - and it sure sounds like he does - then this offseason becomes even more intriguing. The Browns will still explore all their options at quarterback, but Monken’s presence could be a strong vote of confidence for Sanders to stick around and compete for the starting job.
For a franchise that’s been searching for stability under center for what feels like forever, this could be a turning point. Monken wanted Sanders once.
Now he’s got him. Let’s see what they can build together.