Shedeur Sanders Question From Browns' Testing During HC Interviews Revealed In Latest NFL Rumors

The Cleveland Browns reportedly based at least part of their head coaching evaluation on candidates' plans for Shedeur Sanders, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Thursday.

Breer reported that candidates for the Browns head coaching job were given a written test featuring six questions, one of which included, "How would you develop Shedeur Sanders?"

Sanders was one of three players mentioned by name in that question, according to Breer.

"After poking around a bit, I can say the candidates didn't take that as a definitive sign that the new Browns coach would have to start Sanders, nor did those guys get that impression in the interviews," Breer wrote.

Instead, Breer reported the question was meant "to elicit the candidates' views on the head coach's role in developing players, specifically quarterbacks."

The Browns announced Wednesday that former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken had been hired as head coach.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously said in a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show that the Browns used an intensive interview process involving a personality test, essay-writing and take-home assignments after each round of interviews.

Breer expanded on that report by adding that the written was made up of "a half-dozen questions relating to the role of the head coach, some general ones about the candidate himself, some specific to the Browns."

According to Breer, the Browns "phased in" these additional requirements while hiring Freddie Kitchens in 2019 and before bringing in Kevin Stefanski in 2020.

After Kitchens' one-year stint, Stefanski went on to coach six seasons and win two Coach of the Year awards before he was dismissed this offseason and quickly hired by the Atlanta Falcons.

The Browns are now hoping that the process has led the franchise to find their next long-term head coach in Monken, who previously worked with Cleveland as Kitchens' offensive coordinator in 2019.

Cleveland is currently heading into the 2026 season with Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson under contract in the quarterback room. The Browns also hold two first-round picks, including the No. 6 selection, in the upcoming draft.

Watson, who hasn't played since 2024 after tearing and re-injuring his right Achilles, is currently slated to carry an $80 million cap hit barring contract renegotiation.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Dec. 6, prior to Stefanski's firing but while current general manager Andrew Berry was still in place, that the Browns were planning to have Watson still on the 2026 roster.

The Browns got to evaluate both Sanders and Gabriel, who made a combined 13 starts, during their rookie season. What Berry saw in those two quarterbacks and his future plans for Watson could impact Cleveland's approach to the draft and, ultimately, who Monken has to work with while making his NFL head coaching debut next season.