Todd Monken Admits Getting a Meaningless Gift from Shedeur Sanders on His Birthday

Todd Monken received a horse head as birthday present from Shedeur Sanders.

Todd Monken Admits Getting a Meaningless Gift from Shedeur Sanders on His Birthday

Shedeur Sanders and Browns head coach Todd Monken inside the circle (image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Todd Monken received a porcelain horse head as a birthday gift from Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
  • Monken was considered for the Giants offensive coordinator position before accepting the head coach role with the Browns.
  • Georgia tight end Oscar Delp expressed interest in being drafted by the Browns, citing his experience with Monken.

Todd Monken received a package for his 60th birthday on February 5th, three days before the big Super Bowl LX showdown in San Francisco. Initially, the Cleveland Browns’ head coach thought the gift was from his wife. However, he soon discovered that it came from his Browns quarterback, Shedeur Sanders.

The package contained a porcelain horse head. When Monken asked Sanders to explain the meaning behind the gift, the young signal caller simply replied that he liked the object. Speaking with Pete Prisco of CBS Sports at the NFL Combine this week, Monken recounted the moment while discussing Sanders’ future in Cleveland.

I asked him (Sanders), I said ‘What was the meaning?’ and he said ‘Well I just really liked it.’ [He] said ‘I got myself one.’ I said ‘Well great.’

Three days after Monken celebrated his birthday, the Seahawks defeated the Patriots at Super Bowl LX. The team from Seattle won 29-13, with running back Kenneth Walker taking home the crown of the match MVP. It was Mike Macdonald’s first Championship victory. Monken worked alongside Macdonald in Baltimore.

Todd Monken nearly took a different job before coming to Cleveland

After the Ravens sacked John Harbaugh as the head coach, it was expected that his coaching team would follow him to his next club. Shortly after, Harbaugh accepted the Giants’ coaching job and waited for Monken to join him in New York as the offensive coordinator.

Todd Monken Admits Getting a Meaningless Gift for Shedeur Sanders on His Birthday
Todd Monken (Image via IMAGO)

However, Monken eyed a bigger role as he entered his twilight years. The Browns had an opening after Kevin Stefanski left. Monken was familiar with the Browns, as he had served as the OC of the Cleveland franchise in 2019. So, he accepted the Browns’ offer to become their head coach.

That said, the Giants really tried their best to woo Monken in coaching Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, and Darius Slayton.

Of course, I mean of course. I mean, I was hopeful that I would get the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. That’d be silly to say that I wasn’t hopeful of that, but I was excited to go to New York with coach [Harbaugh].

Monken said at the Combine

Harbaugh previously confirmed that he really wanted Monken in New York.

I tried to talk him out of it. That’s my job, right? I really thought he was coming with us, but Cleveland was in there all along, and he had been there before in 2019 as the offensive coordinator, so they knew him, and he wanted this opportunity.

John Harbaugh told NJ.com

Todd Monken’s former player wants to be drafted by the Browns

Following his lone year in Cleveland, Monken went back to his roots, college football. He became the OC of the University of Georgia football team. In Georgia, he managed tight end Oscar Delp, who is projected to be a Day 2 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Delp reportedly met with the Browns’ representatives at the Combine.

I chose Georgia, and part of the reason was just because of Coach Monken. Watching what he does with the tight ends and their offensive scheme, and it’s amazing.

Delp revealed

With star TE David Njoku set to test his luck elsewhere, the Browns need a new face to boost the ranks. They already have Harold Fannin Jr., who finished with 72 receptions for 731 yards and 6 touchdowns during his rookie campaign.

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