Todd Monken Tells Shedeur Sanders Ravens Tried to Draft QB In New Video After Browns Contract

The Cleveland Browns posted a video Friday of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and new head coach Todd Monken meeting for the first time.

After hugging it out with Sanders, Monken said, "We tried to draft your ass last year for God's sake. It's all worked out."

Monken was the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, and he essentially confirmed a report that Sanders was on the Ravens' radar during the 2025 NFL draft.

In September, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Ravens planned to select Sanders in the fifth round of the draft, but they passed when Sanders "let it be known to Baltimore that he didn't want to be on a roster with Lamar Jackson, where he wouldn't have a chance to play anytime soon."

Sanders' reported aversion to getting drafted by the Ravens has worked in his favor thus far.

As a rookie, Sanders began the 2025 offseason fourth on the Browns' quarterback depth chart behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, but he eventually worked his way to the top.

Both Flacco and Pickett got traded, and Gabriel got injured in addition to struggling, so Sanders took over as the starter for the final seven games of the season.

His numbers left something to be desired, as he completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while also rushing for 169 yards and one score, but he did post a 3-4 record for a Browns team that only won five games all year.

There is no guarantee Sanders will win the starting job next season, especially since veteran Deshaun Watson is set to return after missing all of 2025 with a torn Achilles, but the fact that Monken was part of a team that wanted to draft Sanders could be a positive sign.

In Baltimore, Monken called plays for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL over the course of his three seasons.

The Ravens ranked sixth in total offense and fourth in scoring offense in 2023, and first in total offense and third in scoring offense in 2024. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was NFL MVP in 2023, and although he finished second in the voting in 2024, he put up career-best passing numbers.

Baltimore dropped to 16th in total offense and 11th in scoring offense this season, but much of that can be attributed to Jackson missing four games due to injury.

It isn't yet clear if Monken elevated Jackson, Jackson elevated Monken or a combination of the two occurred in Baltimore, but the numbers were impressive, and they suggest he could be a great fit as Sanders' new coach.