Shedeur Sanders’ rookie season with the Cleveland Browns was difficult, falling from a projected first-round pick to a fifth-round selection, and even when he improved late in the season, the team still finished 5-12, highlighting the challenges he faced.
His brother, Deion Sanders Jr., recently reflected on that toll during a conversation with Phillip Dukes on DukestheScoop, describing the viral moment involving Sanders and new Browns head coach Todd Monken, and offering insight into his mental state.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Deion Jr. said. “Not him saying this, but I felt like I could see it took a toll on him. He was so used to people in the building and people on his team ultimately believing him.”
Even at Colorado, Sanders Jr. recalled, belief never wavered during adversity, as in a game against Utah when the first play resulted in a pick that could have demoralized him, yet coaches and teammates remained supportive, calm, and focused on encouraging him.
“Bro, you still Shedeur. Don’t even worry about it. You’re going to turn up,” Deion Jr. recalled, admitting that encouragement helped Sanders rebound immediately, demonstrating the culture of confidence he had grown accustomed to under his college coaches.
Following that play, Sanders converted another turnover into an 85-yard TD drive, completing a fourth-and-8 strike to Travis Hunter, finishing 30-of-41 for 340 yards and three touchdowns, and that resilience, cultivated in Boulder, now faces new tests in Cleveland’s environment.
“It’s those people around you, the staff, everybody that’s lifting you up every time something bad happens,” Deion Jr. added. “They’re going to get on you’re a*s…
“But they’re also going to be like, bro, you good. And I feel like now that he has that again, I think that’s going to help his mental just tremendously.”
Shedeur Sanders excited with Todd Monken arrival
Meanwhile in the 2025 NFL season, Sanders posted an 18.9 QBR, ranking fifth-worst among 696 quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts, marking the lowest single-season QBR for a Browns QB with at least six starts, while he completed 56.6% of passes in eight games, facing ongoing challenges.
Factors beyond his control, including a weak offensive line and limited passing options aside from tight end Harold Fannin Jr., contributed to struggles, yet Sanders looked more composed than Dillon Gabriel, and fans noted Joe Flacco’s improvement after moving to Cincinnati.
Sanders expressed enthusiasm after meeting Todd Monken, who worked with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore during Jackson‘s MVP and All-Pro seasons.
“I’m thankful I was able to meet Coach,” Sanders said. “I feel like we definitely have a connection just in talking to him and seeing kinda like his vibe, and he has a great vibe about him.”
The Browns have clearly prioritized his development, despite drafting Dillon Gabriel first, and with the starting quarterback role still “to be determined,” according to Monken, Sanders will compete with Gabriel and Deshaun Watson, underscoring the importance of his growth this offseason.
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