With another NFL Draft here, it marked Shedeur Sanders’ one-year completion in the pro league. The 2025 season had been a tough one for him. Looking back on his journey, Shedeur shared how it built him stronger.

Shedeur is coming off a roller coaster rookie season after racking up a 56.6% completion rate and 10 interceptions. After being limited to just eight appearances, he now steps into a fight to prove himself with a quarterback competition brewing in Cleveland. But Shedeur says he is battle-tested now.

"I'm thankful that everything happened how it happened," shared Shedeur on April 21, after Day 1 of the Browns' three-day voluntary veteran minicamp. "I was in a position to where I can't handle everything that comes my way. So now I feel bulletproof."

Shedeur’s entry to the Browns camp was not easy. He was the team’s third quarterback after Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Not to forget, the team’s original QB, Deshaun Watson, was away the entire season due to his Achilles injury.

The team turned to Shedeur only after Flacco was traded midseason and Gabriel was benched due to a concussion. He became the Browns’ starter for seven games and ended with a 3-5 record.

“Respectfully, I just don’t want to talk about last year because it doesn’t help us move forward”, the quarterback said.

When asked about the difference between last year and now, he replied that he spends more time in practice now.

On April 21, the Browns held their first offseason practice. Shedeur worked with the first team in 11-on-11 periods. It might not be big news. But it points to a change in approach from the Browns. They might give him a real chance to earn the starting role.

Is Todd Monken a reason behind Shedeur's positive mindset?

Shedeur Sanders’ Thoughts on the New Coach of the Cleveland Browns

The Browns hired a new head coach in January this year. It is his second stint with the Browns, but his first time as head coach. And he is already giving the players a reason to push harder.

Shedeur saw his first NFL action in the second half versus the Baltimore Ravens when Gabriel went down with a concussion. He finished 4-for-16 for 47 yards with a pick and a 13.5 rating.

It was the lowest rating by a quarterback with at least 15 attempts in a debut since Brandon Weeden recorded a 5.1 in Week 1 of 2012. Despite that, Monken and his staff are pushing him forward with the motivation to improve.

"Coach Monken's great and all the other coaches on the staff are extremely great," said the quarterback. "They're going to understand and embrace you just as a person."

Do you think this mindset will push Shedeur to improve this season? Share your thoughts.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community.

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar