Todd Monken's hiring as Cleveland's head coach creates immediate uncertainty for Shedeur Sanders and the Browns' quarterback room. The offensive mastermind, who once tried to draft Sanders with the Ravens, hugged the rookie on his first day but quickly joked about their draft-day history. Monken's arrival comes as the Browns explore quarterback options this offseason.

Monken's coaching philosophy emphasizes athletic quarterbacks who can create off-schedule plays, a trait Sanders showed flashes of during his seven starts. Despite throwing the NFL's most interceptions (10) and posting the fifth-lowest QBR (18.9) among qualifying rookies, Sanders demonstrated playmaking ability with 137 rushing yards and several extended plays. Monken's history of adapting schemes to player strengths could benefit both Sanders and fellow QBs Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel.

Watson remains the wild card after missing all of 2025 recovering from Achilles surgery. The 30-year-old, once a Pro Bowl performer with the Texans, practiced briefly before season's end but faces an uphill battle to reclaim his starting role. Monken's ability to evaluate and develop quarterbacks will be crucial as Cleveland determines whether to build around Sanders, pursue external options, or rely on Watson's potential return to form.