The Cleveland Browns have officially appointed Todd Monken as their new head coach, marking a significant change in leadership. Monken, who is the 19th head coach in the franchise’s history, previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2023 to 2025.
Todd Monken: A Brief Coaching Background
Monken’s coaching journey began in the NFL as a wide receivers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007. He held that position for four years before moving to college football. Monken was the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State for two years and then spent three years as head coach at Southern Mississippi, where he secured a 9-5 record in his final season.
His return to the NFL included a three-season stint as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Georgia before his time with the Ravens. Under Monken’s guidance, the Ravens consistently ranked among the top offenses in the league, never finishing lower than 11th in scoring during his tenure.
Cleveland Browns’ Offensive Challenges
The Browns faced considerable struggles in the 2025 season. They cycled through three different quarterbacks, namely Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders, who collectively threw for only 2,807 yards. The passing game accounted for just 16 touchdowns but also 18 interceptions.
- Cleveland ranked 31st in the league, averaging 16.4 points per game.
- Promising young talents included running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
With the 2026 season approaching, Gabriel and Sanders are both in contention for the starting quarterback position, alongside veteran Deshaun Watson. The team also holds the sixth overall pick in the upcoming draft, which may influence their quarterback options.
Defensive Strengths
While the offense struggled, the Browns’ defense emerged as a strong point. They ranked fourth in the NFL, allowing only 283.6 yards per game. Myles Garrett led the defensive front, setting a new record with 23 sacks.
- The Browns boasted a pass-rush win rate of 47 percent, ranking them second in the league.
Looking Ahead
With Todd Monken now at the helm, the Browns aim to enhance their offensive performance while maintaining their defensive prowess. If successful, this could position them to compete for a spot in the AFC playoffs in the near future.
