Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken announced quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints as normal starter Deshaun Watson continues to work through the NFL's concussion protocol.
Monken, for one, is excited to see what Sanders can do during his first start of the 2026 NFL season.
"I'm fired up to see him play," Monken told reporters during a Friday, Nov. 6, news conference. "I mean, who wouldn't be?"
Sanders' start comes despite Watson returning to practice on Friday, Nov. 6, and logging a limited session.
Monken didn't ruled out Watson serving as the backup behind Sanders for Sunday's game, provided the 31-year-old veteran clears concussion protocol. However, the first-year coach also explained his decision to pivot
to Sanders was related to Watson being unable to participate in team drills while working through his injury.
Monken also lauded Sanders for looking "great" in practice and enjoying "a really good three days" in the lead-up to the game against the Saints.
"I liked his confidence. I liked the way he operated," Monken said of Sanders' disposition at practice. "Looked very comfortable in terms of getting our guys in and out of the huddle. Getting to the line of scrimmage was going to be half the battle, obviously going there this week."
"I thought he threw the ball extremely well," the 60-year-old coach added. "So again, I do think there is positives to the amount of reps he got during the fall. Obviously, there was a two-month gap there, but I think there was enough there in terms of our system, how we do things; he's been on every trip. He hears every call that we make. So, if a player is diligent like he's been, then you expect there to be some carryover."
Monken also praised the strides Sanders has continued to make even while serving as the backup to Watson for the first eight games of the season.
"He's only going to continue to get better," Monken said of Sanders. "He really is. He's very diligent, and he likes to play football. He has a natural confidence about him. Just like any young player, they've got to play."
Sanders hasn't gotten to play much in 2026, logging just five snaps and completing all three of his passing attempts for two yards in relief of Watson. That said, he got extended opportunity to prove himself as a rookie, posting a 3-4 record in seven starts while completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Sanders will look to improve upon his efficiency in a favorable matchup against a Saints defense that ranks 26th in defensive EPA per play in 2026, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats, and has allowed the fourth-most points per game (27.7).
And Monken is planning to let the 24-year-old quarterback have a full chance to show what he can do on the road in New Orleans.
"I mean, let's go," Monken said. "This is what he's wanted, right? He wants to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Let's go. Let's let it rip. Let's see what we've got. We're not holding anything back."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Todd Monken is 'fired up' to see Shedeur Sanders make first start of 2026
