Shedeur Sanders reacts to Todd Monken's 'to be determined' Browns QB plan
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken told reporters during his introductory news conference the team's plan at quarterback was still "to be determined."
Shedeur Sanders, who ended his rookie season as the team's primary starter, wasn't surprised by that revelation and took it in stride when asked about it during an appearance on FanDuel TV's "Up and Adams."
"That's what's expected," Sanders told Kay Adams. "I think each and every day I have to prove to everybody and to myself, also."
How will Sanders go about doing that? The 23-year-old quarterback explained he would approach the NFL offseason with a series of goals, large and small, in mind for himself.
"It's kinda like having goals and accomplishing those goals whether it's small goals, and the small goals will end up to long-term success," Sanders explained. "So, it's kinda like 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."
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' reaction to HC Todd Monken saying his role is to be determined:
- Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) February 3, 2026
"That's what's expected."@ShedeurSanders | @heykayadamspic.twitter.com/2tS29NsuQ6
Sanders is one of three quarterbacks currently under contract with the Browns ahead of the 2026 NFL season. He is joined by fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel while veteran Deshaun Watson, who missed the entire season while rehabbing a twice-torn Achilles.
Neither Gabriel nor Sanders enjoyed sustained success during their rookie seasons. Gabriel posted a 1-5 record and an 80.6 passer rating, which ranked 37th among 42 qualified quarterbacks for the 2025 season, while Sanders had a 3-4 record but posted a 68.1 passer rating, second-worst league-wide ahead of only Brady Cook (55.4).
That, along with the astronomical $80.7 million cap hit Watson is carrying in the final year of the five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal he signed with the Browns in 2022 may explain why Monken is keeping his options open as he takes over for Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland.
"Well, I think like any position on the team, that's still to be determined," Monken said when if Sanders would be the team's No. 1 quarterback to begin the offseason. "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 for us to get started."
Monken didn't tip his hand about the favorite in Cleveland, but he did outline some of the traits for which he would look while determining the Browns' starter for 2026, and potentially beyond.
"I'm just gonna start with personality traits," Monken told reporters. "Who's going to lead this team? Who has the it factor? Who has those characteristics that the team wants to follow and believes in them because the ball's in their hands every down? This game's going to come down to two-minute situations, four-minute situations where you've got to able to execute at a high level."
"And we're just talking about some of the characteristics that you're looking for, let alone some of the physical traits we'll get to talk about later," he added.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shedeur Sanders reacts to Todd Monken's plan for Browns QBs