Shedeur Sanders had a mixed rookie year with the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback began the 2025 season as QB3, but started the final seven games, leading the Browns to three of their five wins. As the Browns fired Kevin Stefanski and replaced him with Todd Monken in January, Sanders will be playing under a new coach in his second year.
When Monken was introduced as the Browns’ coach on Tuesday, he was asked if Sanders would begin the offseason as Cleveland’s QB1. Although Monken said he was undecided about his plans for the position, Sanders appeared on the “Up & Adams” show later in the day and seemingly responded to his coach’s comments.
“That’s what’s expected. Each and every day, I have to prove to everybody and to myself also,” Sanders said. “It’s having goals and accomplishing those goals. The small goals will end up in long-term success. Just hit your landmarks and what you need to do. Focus more in depth and take control of your life and what you can control.”
If Sanders wants the starting role at Cleveland next season, he will have to fend off competition from three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel, who was taken 50 picks ahead of him in last year’s draft.
Nonetheless, Monken will have time to assess his quarterbacks in the offseason before deciding on the QB1.
Shedeur Sanders Opens Up on Being Named as a Pro Bowl Replacement After Rookie Year With Browns
On Monday, Shedeur Sanders reacted to being selected to the Pro Bowl as a replacement following his rookie season with the Browns.
“Yes, I was surprised,” Sanders said (via NFL.com). “It wasn’t like I was just sitting there expecting it. I just didn’t have too much thought in it. I’m not going to lie, a lot of the time I’m taking it day by day. If you would tell me that this was going to happen at the beginning of the year, I couldn’t say that that would’ve happened.”
Sanders replaced Drake Maye at the Pro Bowl, since the New England Patriots quarterback is going to the Super Bowl.
Sanders finished the 2025 season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and one rushing TD across eight games.
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