Shedeur Sanders didn’t need a lengthy post or a flashy press conference to make his point. Just three words - “Time for work” - and a couple of emojis (a watch and a flame) told us everything we needed to know. The rookie quarterback is locked in, and he’s ready to get rolling with his new head coach, Todd Monken.
The Cleveland Browns officially announced Monken’s hiring on January 28, wrapping up a head coaching search that had stretched through the offseason. Monken comes over from Baltimore, where he served as the offensive coordinator for a Ravens team that powered its way through the AFC with one of the league’s most dynamic, balanced attacks. Now, he’s tasked with bringing that same energy and precision to Cleveland - and helping mold Sanders into the quarterback the Browns believe he can become.
If Sanders’ reaction is any indication, he’s not just ready - he’s eager. That “Time for work” message wasn’t just a social media throwaway.
It was a tone-setter. Sanders knows the opportunity in front of him, and he’s embracing it.
It’s been a whirlwind few days for the rookie. On January 26, Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement, becoming the first Browns quarterback to earn the honor since Derek Anderson back in 2008. He’ll join teammates Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward at the event, which, for the first time, will be held during Super Bowl week - this year at the Moscone Center South in San Francisco on Tuesday, February 3.
For Sanders, it’s a fitting cap to a rookie season that was anything but ordinary. Drafted in the fifth round in 2025 out of Colorado, he wasn’t expected to take over the starting job so quickly. But when the opportunity came late in the year, he seized it - starting the final seven games and giving Browns fans a glimpse of what could be.
His numbers told a story of a young quarterback learning on the fly. A 56.6% completion rate, 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions - good for a 68.1 passer rating.
Far from polished, but also far from a bust. The flashes were there.
The arm talent is real, the poise is developing, and the confidence? That’s never been in question.
Of course, the Sanders name carries weight. Being the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders brings a spotlight that’s hard to avoid.
But Shedeur has made it clear from day one: he’s here to carve out his own path. And now, with a Pro Bowl nod under his belt and a respected offensive mind like Monken in his corner, the foundation is being laid for something bigger.
Monken’s reputation speaks for itself. He’s known for crafting versatile, quarterback-friendly offenses that emphasize timing, rhythm, and smart decision-making.
If he can bring that same structure to Cleveland, it could be the perfect environment for Sanders to grow. The Browns aren’t just looking for flashes anymore - they’re looking for consistency, leadership, and a long-term answer under center.
Sanders knows the work ahead won’t be easy. But if his mindset is any indication, he’s not shying away from the challenge. He’s leaning in.
Time for work, indeed.