Browns' Shedeur Sanders addresses lack of commitment from new HC Todd Monken

Arguably the most noteworthy part of Tuesday's media event involving the Cleveland Browns introducing new head coach Todd Monken to reporters featured Monken failing to commit to 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders as the club's starting quarterback heading into training camp. 

Later in the day, Sanders was asked about Monken's comments during an appearance on the FanDuel TV "Up & Adams" program. 

Was Shedeur Sanders surprised about lack of commitment from Todd Monken?

"That's what's expected," Sanders said, per Kristen Wong of Sports Illustrated. "I think each and every day I have to prove [something] to everybody and to myself, also. ...Just hit your landmarks on what you need to do, focus more in-depth on everything and what you want to, and just be in control of your life and what you can control." 

While Sanders was controversially named a replacement for the Pro Bowl Games roster, he was also responsible for some of the worst stats produced by a QB1 as he went 3-4 over seven starts this season. As of the first Wednesday of February, Sanders is likely on track to compete with veteran Deshaun Watson for the Cleveland starting job later this summer. 

Watson missed all of the 2025 campaign after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024 and then re-injured the Achilles during his recovery. 

Shedeur Sanders not lacking confidence in early days of Browns' Todd Monken era

Sanders may understand why he hasn't been promised the starting job at this point in the offseason, but that doesn't mean the 23-year-old is lacking confidence this winter. 

"You can see it," Sanders said about what he accomplished as a first-year pro, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "It’s kind of like mastering how to get to that place all the time. You have flashes. That’s the most thing I appreciate about this year is that I proved to myself, I’m able to dominate the league. But I’m able to take completions, I’m able to put all of that together, and definitely in games, we have flashes, but I know I’m capable of doing that. Now, to do it on a consistent basis, that’s what the goal is. But for me in this past season, that’s what proved to myself. No matter what happened, no matter anything that transpired, you are able to go out there and compete." 

Unless the Browns make a stunning move to land a proven starter, Sanders should be a significant part of the club's quarterback room through the beginning of preseason play. What happens beyond that regarding Monken's depth chart is anybody's guess at this time.