Shedeur Sanders didn’t get much real quarterback growth in his rookie year as a starter under Kevin Stefanski. The system leaned conservative, the reads were limited, and the room to learn through mistakes stayed tight. An old Todd Monken interview now puts that stretch in clear perspective.
Monken has always pushed tempo, aggressive reads, and quarterback ownership at the line. With him stepping in as the new Brown’s head coach, Shedeur Sanders finally gets a system built for growth, confidence, and real command. That shift changes everything.
Todd Monken’s QB-First Development Philosophy
An old Todd Monken interview gives a clear look at how deeply he prioritizes quarterback development, and why his arrival matters for Shedeur Sanders.
Monken explained that his evaluation of a quarterback goes beyond stats and scheme fit. “What excites me is when you hear what the players say about your quarterback,” said Monken.
He tied leadership directly to team belief, noting, “When they say about complementary things about that player in terms of wanting him as a teammate, wanting him to lead this team, those are positives.”
Monken also stressed that systems should bend to the quarterback, not the other way around. He said that to succeed in the league, “you have to play the strengths of the quarterback.”
That idea directly contrasts with what Shedeur faced early on, when structure often limited growth instead of encouraging it.
Monken added that for quarterbacks to operate comfortably, “you have to make it simple enough where they can play fast.”
Just as important, Monken emphasized the role of coaching infrastructure.
He insisted the essence of success is having a staff committed to growth, saying they are in the development business.
“Any player that you get, you’re fighting like hell to develop them and try to using what their elite trade is,” added Todd Monken. That mindset points straight to a system designed to elevate Shedeur.
Shedeur Sanders Embraces Todd Monken’s Influence
Shedeur Sanders didn’t hide his excitement about working with Todd Monken, and his reasoning was simple. Monken’s track record speaks loudest, especially his time coaching Lamar Jackson during an MVP season.
For a young quarterback who felt boxed in early, that history matters. Sanders understands what kind of ceiling Monken has helped unlock before, and he sees the opportunity clearly.
After Monken was hired to replace Kevin Stefanski, the two met at the Browns’ headquarters. While Sanders kept the details private, the impression stuck.
“It’s truly great that he was able to coach Lamar and he was able to accomplish everything he was able to accomplish in his life and his career,” Sanders said. That respect comes from more than awards. It comes from proof that Monken knows how to build an offense around a quarterback’s strengths.
What stood out just as much was the personal connection. “I feel like we definitely have a connection just from talking to him, just seeing his vibe. He has a great vibe about him,” Sanders added.
That comfort matters for a quarterback stepping into a critical development phase. For Shedeur Sanders, this feels less like a reset and more like a real beginning.