Todd Monken Sends Strong Message After Shedeur Sanders Decision

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Todd Monken Sends Strong Message After Shedeur Sanders Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Sep 2, 2026 5:52 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders fans need to wait a little longer for his shot under center. Todd Monken recently settled the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition, sticking with Deshaun Watson as the Week 1 starter. It closes out one of the most talked-about battles the NFL saw this offseason.

The former Colorado Buffaloes star brought plenty of buzz over the summer, but experience is winning out for now. The three-time Pro Bowler enters the year still carrying the weight of the five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed extension he signed in March 2022. Through 19 games with Cleveland, he has completed 341 of 557 passes for 3,365 yards, with 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) works out during training camp Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Those numbers, along with his Houston Texans track record, are why the Browns are sticking with him over their second-year QB. The QB room around him is taking shape too. Taylen Green is sticking around after an encouraging preseason, while Dillon Gabriel is placed on injured reserve with a back injury that should keep him out at least four games.

For Sanders, the path forward means getting reps behind Watson while sharing scout-team work with Green. It’s shaping up to be a crowded quarterback room for Cleveland as the regular season approaches.

On Tuesday, cleveland.com reported that Monken isn’t backing off his decision, despite plenty of pushback from fans who wanted to see Sanders get the nod. The Browns coach made clear the noise around the decision doesn’t factor into how he runs his team.

“Absolutely not,” Monken said. “Would I prefer that we would all be on the same page? Yeah, but that has nothing to do with my decision, and it can never have anything to do with my decision. My decision has got to be about what’s best for the Browns in Week 1 and all the way through the season, and as long as I’m the head coach here.”

Cleveland opens the season on the road against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, September 13, at 1 p.m. ET, before heading to Tampa a week later to face the Buccaneers on September 20, also at 1 p.m. ET.