Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders believes he's more prepared for the NFL after learning from a roller-coaster rookie season.
"I'm thankful that everything happened how it happened," Sanders said Tuesday after Day 1 of the Browns' three-day voluntary veteran minicamp. "I'm thankful that my appreciation for a lot of things is what it is now."
He added, "I'm just happy, I'm thankful, I'm blessed. I was in a position to where I can handle everything that comes my way. So, now I feel bulletproof."
Sanders' NFL journey started with a shocking fall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Once labeled a top quarterback prospect, the former Colorado passer wasn't drafted until the fifth round, 144th overall.
The 24-year-old began the 2025 offseason as Cleveland's QB4 but ultimately made eight regular-season appearances as a rookie, including seven starts. He completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Sanders also scored a rushing TD.
Sanders split starting reps with Deshaun Watson on Tuesday, taking snaps in 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven activities. They're expected to compete for the team's starting role.
Sanders said the Browns have a "new energy" this year, praising first-year NFL head coach Todd Monken.
"Coach Monken is great. And all the other coaches on the staff is extremely great," Sanders said. "You gotta understand they embrace you just as a person and then they push you each and every day, in the meeting room and on the field, in the weight room. Like, it's a new vibe."
In January, Cleveland hired Monken, who spent the past three seasons as the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator, to replace Kevin Stefanski.
