The air at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea felt different on Tuesday. As the Cleveland Browns opened their voluntary veteran minicamp on April 21, 2026, the focus wasn’t on the usual distractions that have historically followed this franchise. Instead, all eyes locked onto the quarterback rotation, where Shedeur Sanders is making a loud case to lead this team into the future.
Sanders, who weathered a surprising fifth-round slide in the 2025 NFL Draft, looks like a player transformed. After spending much of his rookie season waiting behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow youngster Dillon Gabriel, Sanders started the final seven games of last year. Now, with Todd Monken taking the reins as head coach, the sophomore signal-caller senses a massive shift in energy.
“It’s a new vibe. It’s a new energy. Coach Monken just spoke life into me. When you do that, you get the best result for me.”
— Shedeur Sanders after Tuesday’s practice.
The Three-Way Battle for Cleveland’s Future
While Sanders took the first-man reps on Tuesday, Monken was quick to dispel any talk of a locked-in depth chart. The competition remains a legitimate three-man race between Sanders, the high-priced veteran Deshaun Watson, and 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. Monken’s arrival has cleared the deck, forcing every player to earn their spot regardless of draft pedigree or contract size.
Gabriel, who set the all-time career FBS record for touchdowns before landing in Cleveland, remains a heavy factor. Monken highlighted Gabriel’s “innate charisma” and professional approach, making it clear that the 94th overall pick from 2025 isn’t just here to hold a clipboard. Watson, meanwhile, rotated reps with Sanders throughout the session, showing that the coaching staff is still evaluating the best path forward for an offense desperate for stability.
To understand the stakes of this offseason, one only needs to look at the draft capital and 2025 contributions of this trio:
| Quarterback | Acquisition / Draft Status | 2025 Role / Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | Veteran (Trade) | Limited by injury / Veteran mentor |
| Dillon Gabriel | 2025 3rd Round (94th overall) | Appeared in 10 games / 7 TDs |
| Shedeur Sanders | 2025 5th Round (144th overall) | Started final 7 games / Claimed Tuesday’s first-team reps |
A Relationship-Driven Approach to Winning
Sanders pointed to a specific moment with Monken that changed his outlook. The new head coach challenged Sanders to treat his development as a “daily regimen” rather than a sporadic effort. For a player who values personal connection, this direct mentorship has been the catalyst for a “renewed mindset” heading into the 2026 season.
The atmosphere at practice reflected this intensity. The chilly April wind didn’t slow down the pace of the drills, and Sanders looked sharp, delivering strikes to his receivers with a confidence that seemed missing during the early parts of his rookie year. He isn’t worried about things outside his control—like when the official starter will be named. He’s simply focusing on the next step in his daily plan.
Cleveland’s coaching staff is gambling that this “new vibe” will finally stabilize the most important position on the field. If Tuesday was any indication, Sanders is more than ready to run with the opportunity.
