Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Issues Request Before Second NFL Season

Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns couldn't find much of a rhythm during the 2025 NFL season, finishing the year with a 5-12 record and missing out on the playoffs. The Browns began the season with Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback before turning to rookie Dillon Gabriel in Week 5. But after falling to 2-8, Cleveland decided it was time to give Sanders his shot in Week 12.

Sanders finished out the season as the Browns' starting quarterback, starting in the final seven games and posting a 3-4 record. And while his stats weren't eye-popping, the former Colorado Buffaloes star still managed his first Pro Bowl nod, completing 120-of-212 passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, adding another 169 yards and a score on the ground.

Now, the Browns have begun preparations for the 2026 NFL season as the NFL Draft approaches. Sanders has arrived in Berea, Ohio, for the start of voluntary workouts, where he will look to prove he can remain Cleveland's starter while competing with the likes of Gabriel and a healthy Deshaun Watson. Sanders has also reverted to his college No. 2, switching from No. 12 during his rookie year.

And on Tuesday, with a new coaching staff in place in Cleveland, Sanders praised Todd Monken and the rest of the staff for bringing a new energy to the team, noting how they push players daily on and off the field. The quarterback also called on the media to match that energy, urging them to bring a more positive approach and cut down on the negativity moving forward.

"Coach (Todd) Monken is great, and all the other coaches on the staff are extremely great," Sanders said. "They push you each and every day, you know, in the meeting room and on the field and in the weight room. It's a new vibe, it's a new energy. The only thing we're missing is y'all.

"We need y'all to have a new vibe, new energy. I know y'all want us to win, so we need some winning energy here. You know what I'm saying? We can't have too much negativity going on. And you want our players to be the best version of ourselves for y'all, you know. So I think it's a community thing... So let's approach even this with a better attitude, even coming from y'all also."

"We need y'all to have a new vibe, a new energy," - Shedeur Sanders to the Cleveland media. pic.twitter.com/YqYVVNj9kM

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) April 21, 2026

While Sanders continues preparation for his second season, the Browns will look to bolster their roster in Thursday's draft, selecting with the No. 6 and No. 24 picks.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 1:12 PM.