The Cleveland Browns completed their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday. Head coach Todd Monken gave an update after the camp was over regarding Shedeur Sanders, who has been competing against Deshaun Watson for the starting quarterback role.

Per coach Monken, neither of the two QBs has done enough to prove themselves to be better than the other. But, he gave some homework for Sanders to do if he wants the QB1 spot before hitting training camp in late July.

“His ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands and eliminate lost yards, plays is going to be huge,” said Monken when asked about the major trait Sanders needs to work on. “He has to be able to stack plays and score, which is ultimately the No.1 thing to do.”

Per SI's Rafael Zamorano, Sanders demonstrated two scenarios that fit Monken's feedback on processing speed and ball release.

The first scenario saw defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. stand up and raise his hand during a rep. Sanders took five seconds to decide where he wanted to go with the ball, only to end up throwing it directly into Hall’s hand. 

In the second scenario, Sanders took nearly seven seconds to get the ball from shotgun, pump twice, and roll out to his right before finding rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston for the catch.

Zamorano added that the specifics or the intentions behind each of those reps were unclear, but holding onto the ball for too long was Sanders’ biggest problem in the last year, too.

There were many pass plays left on the field because the young QB didn’t make the right judgment, which led to bad plays or unnecessary checkdowns. 

Sanders now has work cut out for him during the summer break before he heads back to Berea in July. 

Monken Praises Sanders’ Growth After the Mandatory Minicamp

Sanders played eight games last year and started seven of those. He registered 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he faced 10 interceptions and struggled with turnovers and sacks, per Dave Kelsey of The Comeback. 

Sanders went from being the fifth-round draft pick by the Browns in 2025 to starting the last seven games for the Browns. With his rocky rookie year behind him, coach Monken, who was hired in January, praised the 24-year-old for the progress he’s made so far.

“He’s doing a better job, I think he’s being more decisive,” said the coach of Daryl Ruiter of the 92.3 The Fan show. “It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions. The ball’s coming out of his hands, which he’s going to have to do. Not that he doesn’t have playmaking ability, which he does.”

With the QB1 competition far from settled, Monken praised Sanders’ progress and expressed optimism that the 24-year-old will build on it in the weeks ahead. 

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi