‘He’s Really Come a Long Way’ — Browns HC Todd Monken Makes Feelings Clear on Shedeur Sanders’ Development
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Entering the 2025 NFL season, expectations for Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had diminished after his infamous draft slide, in which he went from being a possible first-round pick to a fifth-round pick. While he had likely anticipated starting early on, he’d end up being the third-string quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco.
However, when he got his chance to shine, new Browns head coach Todd Monken had plenty to say about his play. What did Coach Monken Say About Shedeur’s 2025 Season? Speaking to the media during the Browns’ second OTA practice, Monken said , “I think Shedeur’s come miles, in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts.
“I think he’s really, really come a long way. ” Sanders definitely showed more growth as he adjusted to the speed of the NFL. While he was only 3-5 as a starter, two of the wins came back-to-back against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Browns to cap off the season.
He’d end up finishing the season throwing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions. There’s no doubt those numbers are ugly over eight games; however, he couldn’t have been expected to succeed much after receiving limited first-team reps in the preseason and having an offense whose best pass catcher was tight end Harold Fannin Jr. He’d end up scoring a 56.
7 Quarterback Impact Grade according to PFSN, ranking 40th among his position, while head coach Kevin Stefanski would get fired after the season. While a lack of weapons to throw was a big issue for all Browns’ quarterbacks in 2025, it won’t be in 2026. They completely revamped their receiver unit, snagging the ultra-elusive KC Concepcion in the first round, and contested catch guru Denzel Boston in the second round.