May 16, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT

Todd Monken Gets Surprise Backing from Deion Despite Not Committing to Shedeur Sanders

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was dissatisfied with how his son was treated during the 2025 NFL Draft. Projected to be a first-round pick, Shedeur Sanders slid down to the fifth round before being picked by the Browns.

However, it seems he is satisfied with Shedeur's move to Cleveland. In fact, he openly praised Browns coach Todd Monken during a recent media appearance, even though the HC has pitted Shedeur against two others in the QB room.

Following the unexpected draft slide, Deion Sanders appreciated Cleveland for giving his son an opportunity. On The Barbershop podcast hosted by Garrett Bush, Sanders emphasized how Monken could play a crucial role in Shedeur’s development.

“That Coach Monken is going to make it do what it does,” Sanders said.

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104052

He further revealed that he wants to meet the head coach, not as Shedeur's dad but as a coach. He wants to discuss how he can bring out the talent in the young Browns' QB.

“I was supposed to go, actually, next week, but I’ve got to shoot a commercial, to Cleveland to meet Monken,” Sanders added. “Because I want to meet him. Because I think it’s vital that as a coach, not the dad, I can tell him a few things about Shedeur, how to get him going. I can’t wait to have that conversation with Coach Monken.”

With their meeting already scheduled, it will be crucial to watch how Cleveland’s head coach manages to bring the most out of Shedeur Sanders.

Deion Sanders did more than simply defend his son. He acknowledged that Cleveland had given Shedeur a genuine opportunity.

Currently, Shedeur is competing against Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the position of the Cleveland Browns' starting QB.

Shedeur Sanders Faces Tough Competition in Cleveland

Despite flashes of promise during his appearances last season, Shedeur Sanders still has work to do. The young quarterback finished with 1,400 passing yards last season. He recorded seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while going 3-4 as a starter.

However, these numbers alone are not enough for him to snag the starting role for the 2026 season, especially with Gabriel and Watson in the race.

His football journey began under the guidance of his father, Deion Sanders. The father-son partnership has been constant.

Later, the move to Colorado in 2023 helped Shedeur play a major role in the team’s improvement and earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors during the 2024 campaign.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, many analysts considered him to be one of the best quarterbacks available. But recent reports suggested that his attitude during the draft had affected his stock, which led to an unexpected fall to the fifth round.

With the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders will look to get back his form. And his legendary father believes that a conversation with head coach Todd Monken could help Shedeur do so.

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit