Shedeur Sanders Faces Uncertainty as Todd Monken Keeps Browns’ QB Race Wide Open
Shedeur Sanders finished his rookie season as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, but if Tuesday’s press conference was any indication, he’ll need to earn that spot all over again in 2026.
New Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken, fresh off a successful run with the Baltimore Ravens, made it clear during his introductory media availability that no job - not even the quarterback position - is locked in heading into the offseason. When asked directly about Sanders’ chances of starting next season, Monken didn’t flinch. He’s not handing out roles based on last year’s depth chart.
“I think like any position on the team, that's still to be determined,” Monken said. “Am I excited about Shedeur?
Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Am I excited to coach this football team?
Absolutely. I can't wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
That’s a message that resonates beyond just the quarterback room - Monken is setting the tone early. This is going to be a meritocracy, and every player, no matter how promising or accomplished, will have to prove it on the field.
A Crowded QB Room in Cleveland
Sanders enters the offseason as one of three quarterbacks on the Browns’ roster, alongside veteran Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel. It’s a mix of youth, experience, and potential - and it sets the stage for a compelling competition once offseason workouts begin.
It’s worth remembering how far Sanders came in a short time. He began the 2025 campaign as the third-string quarterback, buried behind Joe Flacco and Gabriel.
But as the season unfolded, Sanders climbed the depth chart, eventually making his first start in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He held onto the job from that point forward, showing enough poise and progress to keep the offense afloat during a turbulent stretch.
Still, Monken isn’t one to hand out starting roles based on past performance alone. He’s looking for something more - something intangible.
Monken Looking for “It Factor” in His QB1
If you want to know what Monken values in a quarterback, he laid it out pretty clearly. It’s not just about arm strength or footwork - it’s about leadership, command, and the ability to rise in clutch moments.
“I’m just gonna start with personality traits,” Monken said. “When you talk about who's gonna lead this team, who has the it factor, who has those characteristics that the team wants to follow and believes in them - ’cause the ball's in their hand every down.”
That’s a key insight into how this battle will be evaluated. Monken’s system, which he successfully implemented with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and earlier with Stetson Bennett at Georgia, demands a quarterback who can take charge in high-pressure situations - two-minute drills, four-minute offense, late-game drives with the outcome hanging in the balance.
“This game's gonna come down to two-minute situations, four-minute situations where you've gotta be able to execute at a high level,” Monken added. “And we're just talking about some of the characteristics that you're looking for, let alone some of the physical traits that we'll get a chance to talk about later.”
A High Bar Set by Monken’s Past Success
Monken’s track record speaks volumes. He helped Lamar Jackson reclaim MVP form in Baltimore and played a pivotal role in Georgia’s back-to-back national championships with Bennett under center. That kind of résumé raises the bar for what he expects from his quarterbacks - both in terms of preparation and performance.
For Sanders, this offseason represents a crucial proving ground. He’s already shown he can step in and lead an NFL offense, but now he’ll need to convince a new coordinator - one with a championship pedigree - that he’s the right long-term answer in Cleveland.
The competition with Watson and Gabriel won’t be easy. Watson, despite injuries and inconsistency, still brings a veteran presence and a big contract to the table. Gabriel, meanwhile, offers his own brand of upside and athleticism.
But Sanders has one advantage: momentum. He’s fresh off a season where he earned the starting job the hard way - by working his way up and seizing his opportunity. Now, he’ll need to do it again, this time under the watchful eye of a coach who’s seen what elite quarterback play looks like and won’t settle for anything less.
The Browns’ quarterback battle is just getting started. And with Monken calling the shots, it’s going to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.