Todd Monken says Shedeur Sanders has 'come miles' as Browns quarterback competition heats up

Shedeur Sanders’ caller caput coach likes what he’s seen from nan backmost heading into his 2nd NFL play pinch nan Cleveland Browns.

Todd Monken has been peppered pinch questions astir his quarterbacks extent floor plan since taking nan Browns’ caput coaching job, which Kevin Stefanski utilized to person pinch nan franchise.

Sanders, whom nan Browns took successful nan 5th information of past year’s NFL Draft, is usually successful those questions, arsenic media and fans alike are funny what’s successful shop for him aft closing retired nan 2025 run arsenic nan team’s starting quarterback. However, a caller coach intends caller reasoning astir each position.

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Cleveland Browns backmost Shedeur Sanders reacts connected nan sideline during nan first half of an NFL crippled against nan San Francisco 49ers successful Cleveland connected Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Monken, though, said to Sanders’ improvement connected Wednesday, wherever he said he’s seeing a subordinate who has already "come a agelong way."

"I deliberation Shedeur’s travel miles, successful position of his progressions, getting nan shot out, his knowing of concepts. I deliberation he’s really, really travel a agelong way," Monken told reporters, via ESPN.

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After nan Browns went pinch Joe Flacco to commencement nan season, past Dillon Gabriel erstwhile Flacco was traded to nan Cincinnati Bengals, Sanders yet sewage a changeable against nan Las Vegas Raiders. He won his first-ever commencement successful nan NFL, and Stefanski named him starter nan remainder of nan season.

But Sanders and Deshaun Watson, who's backmost from wounded heading into 2026, person continued to return divided first-team reps during squad drills astatine nan Browns’ 2nd OTA practice.

Head coach Todd Monken of nan Cleveland Browns looks connected during a voluntary seasoned minicamp astatine CrossCountry Mortgage Campus successful Berea, Ohio, connected April 21, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Watson, whose tenure successful Cleveland has been nan nonstop other of what nan squad had hoped for erstwhile they traded for and signed him to a monolithic statement successful 2022. It was a afloat guaranteed $230 cardinal complete 5 years, but he tore his Achilles successful October 2024 and didn’t play astatine each successful 2025.

Still, backmost connected nan gridiron, Monken said that "Deshaun’s athleticism shows up."

"Obviously he’s had that, but he’s had injuries that person group him back. I wouldn’t opportunity it’s a surprise, but it’s breathtaking to spot – it’s a limb for him. It’s 1 of his superpowers, his athleticism."

The Browns still person Gabriel, arsenic good arsenic rookie Taylen Green, connected their extent floor plan up of nan season. But it’s clear nan title starts pinch Watson and Sanders pinch training campy group for July.

Monken won’t beryllium rushing to immoderate conclusion astatine nan position, but he does wish to sanction a starter by nan opening of training camp.

Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson of nan Cleveland Browns watch from nan sidelines during a crippled against nan Cincinnati Bengals astatine Huntington Bank Field successful Cleveland, Ohio, connected Sept. 7, 2025. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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"You’d emotion to person it astatine each position astatine nan extremity of spring, but you can’t guarantee that," Monken said.

Until then, Sanders and nan remainder of nan Browns’ roster will look to impressment their caller coach.  

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