Shedeur Sanders’ birthday gift has prominent spot in Todd Monken's office

PHOENIX — Inside Todd Monken’s office at the Cleveland Browns facility, between two Browns helmets, sits a porcelain horse head — the most memorable birthday present the 60-year-old offensive coordinator has ever received. The gift came from rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, months before the fifth-round draft pick began his first full NFL offseason.

Monken, speaking at the AFC coaches breakfast during the NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore, said he has not searched for symbolism behind the unusual present. “It was my birthday,” he said simply. “No, I mean, there’s not more than that. It was just having to be my birthday. I haven’t really drilled down yet exactly.”

The coordinator first revealed the gift during a February interview with CBS Sports at the NFL combine and reiterated its place of honor when asked again this week. Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, told Monken he “really liked” the horse head but has yet to purchase one for himself despite saying he planned to.

Sanders has become a fixture in Berea this spring, logging more hours in the building than any other quarterback on the roster. While Deshaun Watson has worked out largely away from Cleveland, Sanders has taken every opportunity to learn Monken’s offense as he battles Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the starting job this fall.

Monken noted that the frequency of Sanders’ visits influenced the décor choice. “You know, you change out pictures of people that come to the house, the cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives to make it whoever shows up; he comes in the most often. So I have his horse. If Deshaun gave me an elephant I’d have the elephant up there as well.”

For now, the porcelain steed remains front and center, a daily reminder of a rookie’s gratitude and the competition that will define Cleveland’s summer.