Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken caused a lot of talk online on March 3, 2026, after he posted a photo on social media. The image showed Monken with quarterback Shedeur Sanders. It included a caption consisting of three horse head emojis. Many fans viewed this as a sign that Sanders is the clear choice to start in the 2026 season.
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The post arrived at a time of significant transition for the franchise. The Browns finished the 2025 season with a 5–12 record. This disappointing result led to the hiring of Monken to replace former coach Kevin Stefanski. The team currently faces a difficult decision regarding the most important position on the field.
The quarterback roomincludes veteran Deshaun Watson and the young Sanders. Watson is still working to return to form after a serious Achilles injury limited his availability in 2025. Sanders took over late last year and performed well enough to earn a Pro Bowl selection. Monken recently spoke about the younger quarterback’s talent.
“I think what you see is elite playmaking ability,” Monkensaid. “That’s in him. You’ve seen it, we’ve seen it, you saw it in college, you saw it on tape last year,” the coach stated during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Despite the excitement over the social media post, the meaning of the horse emojis was unrelated to depth charts. Reports indicate the post was a private joke about a birthday gift. Monken recently celebrated his 60th birthday. Sanders reportedly gave the coach a gift themed after the movie “The Godfather.”
Monken has been careful not to name a starter for 2026 yet. He confirmed that the team will evaluate all options during the offseason. This includes potential trades or the upcoming draft. General Manager Andrew Berry also noted that the team must improve.
“I wouldn’t say it’s important to,” Monkensaid, “but we’re going to do our due diligence to make sure that our roster, that we put ourselves in the best position we can to score points, which starts with that position.”
For now, the Browns remain in a state of competition as they look to move past their recent struggles.
Shedeur Sanders replaces Dillon Gabriel as Cleveland Browns quarterback
The Cleveland Browns are ready to trade Dillon Gabriel. This follows a difficult 2025 season in which he lost his starting position to Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel started the year as a high draft pick but struggled with efficiency.
Shedeur Sanders joined the team as a fifth-round selection. He played fewer games than Gabriel but threw for 1,400 yards. Sanders also ran for 169 yards and showed more playmaking ability.
The league noticed his improvement. Shedeur Sanders earned a spot in the 2026 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement. Now the team views Sanders as the future starter. Gabriel is currently at the bottom of the depth chart. His time in Cleveland is likely over.