How Shedeur Sanders didn’t sign with Young Money to get the Browns to trade him; where the Ravens’ Jesse Minter ranked among Browns HC candidates: Insider

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Shedeur Sanders made waves this week when he hired his first NFL agent, with many outlets speculating that he did so to facilitate a trade from the Browns, the same way receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. did a week ago when he was dealt from the Cardinals to the Texans. Sanders hired Adie von Gontard, CEO of Young Money APAA Sport to represent him, the same agent who represents Sanders’ former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter, the receiver/cornerback for the Jaguars. The move raised some eyebrows, because it came on the heels of Harrison hiring his first agents, Todd France and Tory Dandy of Athletes First, and then maneuvering his way out of Arizona two weeks later. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10 at 4 p.m., and Sanders is the Browns’ No. 2 quarterback behind Deshaun Watson, who’s 3-2 heading into Sunday’s battle for first place with the Ravens. Browns vs. Ravens: 3 things to watch on Sunday (Video)How will Browns handle latest ‘construction zone’ as Baltimore comes to town? – Terry PlutoCleveland Browns lean on secondary to challenge Ravens offense SundayBut two sources close to the situation tell cleveland.com that Sanders didn’t secure representation to seek a trade, and that he’s just in the process of building out his team now that he’s in his second NFL season. In fact, Sanders has been affiliated with Young Money since before the 2025 NFL Draft, but didn’t formally sign with the agency until this week.Sanders also recently hired Denise L. White, CEO of EAG Sports and Entertainment Agency, to manage his PR and brand strategy. Deion Sanders’ Chief of Staff at Colorado is Rodney “Ray” Forsett II, who worked for Young Money before he transitioned to college athletics, and the Sanders family has other close ties to the agency, which was co-founded by Lil Wayne. In fact, the rapper, appearing on the “Gridiron” podcast with Skip Bayless on Friday, said he doesn’t want to see Sanders anywhere but Cleveland. “Oh, no. I just want to see Shedeur be Shedeur because wherever he is, you know, he has that,” Wayne said when asked if he wants Sanders to leave Cleveland. “Also, I need him to get his opportunity, and I think where he is, he’s going to get that opportunity.”The chances are good that Sanders will start games for the Browns this season, just like he did last year. Despite opening camp as the Browns’ fourth-string quarterback, Sanders started the final seven games of the season, leading the Browns to a 3-4 mark.During this year’s camp, Sanders played well enough to keep the two-way quarterback competition going until Aug. 24, when Monken named Watson the starter. But Monken encouraged Sanders to play the long game and stay ready. Over the past three seasons, the Browns have started five, four and three quarterbacks, meaning there’s a good chance Sanders will get his chance at some point this season.After a poor performance in the opening day loss to the Jaguars, Watson orchestrated three straight fourth-quarter game-winning drives to lead the Browns into first place in the AFC North at 3-1. Last week against the Jets, he had his worst game since the opener in the Browns’ 17-12 loss for a 3-2 mark. He has a chance to redeem himself Sunday against the Ravens in the big showdown for first place at Huntington Bank Field. Monken isn’t taking it week-to-week with Watson, but he’ll need to continue play well and win to keep the job.The Browns, who have no intentions of trading Sanders or Dillon Gabriel before the deadline, have been pleased with Sanders and are confident he’ll play well when he gets his opportunity. His attitude and work ethic have been good, and the team is happy with him. Where Ravens coach Jesse Minter ranked in the Browns coaching search Ravens’ first-year head coach Jesse Minter, who has the team in first place in the AFC North at 4-1, was one of the two most impressive external candidates for the Browns’ head coaching vacancy along with Monken, their first choice for the job. On January 22, Minter and the Browns agreed to cancel his second interview because the Browns couldn’t guarantee him the job, and the Ravens were ready to hire him. Baltimore hired him that day and welcomed back their former defensive assistant from 2017-2020 under their previous head coach, John Harbaugh. Minter was one of eight external candidates for the job. The Browns also interviewed their own offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and their own defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. When Minter canceled his second interview, four candidates remained for the Browns job: Monken, Schwartz, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.On Sunday, the two most impressive external candidates will battle go head-to-head for bragging rights in the division. Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins and Derek Barnett all truly questionable As of Saturday afternoon, the Browns were still unsure which of their four questionable players — Mason Graham (knee, ankle), Carson Schwesinger (ankle), Quinshon Judkins (ankle) and Derek Barnett (ankle)— will be able to face the Ravens.All were limited on Friday, and some looked healthier than others. Graham appeared to struggle some in early drills, but rejoined practice after taking a few minutes in the weight room. Schwesinger. Defensive tackle Adin Huntington was eager to welcome his fellow defenders back, especially against the Ravens’ high-powered offense. “(Graham) ia a vital piece of our d-line and our defense and our team, so anytime he’s out there impacting the game, it increased our chances of winning,” he said. “Carson too. Those two can do some exciting things some great things on the field individually but ultimately it’s a team game and they increase our chances of winning and holding our defenses to a high standard.”Linebacker Quincy Williams said the fact the two are fighting to get back so fast speaks volumes. “It says we have dogs, that’s the biggest thing,” Williams said. “It’s saying that they want to be out there to contribute to the team, saying that they want to be out there to make those plays and hold their end of the bargain up, end of their team up, so I like that. We’ve got guys out here with major injuries that are coming out to play. So it’s setting the standard for the team, setting the standard for the locker room.”With their defenders ailing, the Browns elevated defensive tackles Sam Kamara and Chris Williams from the practice squad. And if Judkins can’t play, the Browns have Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime, signed this week off the Vikings practice squad. Todd Monken learned from his mistakes with Lamar Jackson in how to coach Deshaun WatsonMonken has been vocal about the mistakes he made with Lamar Jackson that led to their strained relationship last season. But those mistakes also helped him in coaching Watson this season. “Some of it’s a part of that,” Monken said. “It’s not just him, there are other players. Like anything, you’re human. And I always say it, you own it, you fight like hell to fix it ... I’ve been lucky enough to be around people that will tell you the truth.”He said it was the same at Georgia, here when he was offensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchens, in Tampa and elsewhere.“How you choose to pivot in terms of the information they have, or build off what’s good, and fix the things that aren’t nearly up to where you want it to be, is really the magic right there. That’s really where it’s at.”So far, the communication between Monken and Watson has been excellent, and it’s resulted in Watson playing winning ball.Minkah Fitzpatrick fines announced; Carson Schwesinger too Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was fined $17,911 for his concussive hit on a “defenseless” KC Concepcion, and docked $11,941 for his facemask on Concepcion a few players earlier. Concepcion, who was cleared from the concussion protocol on Friday and will face the Ravens, said “it wasn’t a dirty hit.” Almost everyone in the Browns organization agreed with him, except for offensive tackle Dawand Jones, who called him out for it. Schwesinger was fined $14,899 for impermissible use of his helmet.