New Era for the Browns: Todd Monken Takes the Helm
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Former offensive coordinator Todd Monken is set to return to the Browns, now as their 19th full-time head coach. This time, he will have the opportunity to implement his own strategies, taking over from Kevin Stefanski, who was let go after the season.
Monken previously managed the team’s offense in 2019 under head coach Freddie Kitchens, although he didn’t call plays at the time. After a successful run in Baltimore leading an explosive offense under quarterback Lamar Jackson, Monken, who turns 60 next Thursday, aims to revive a Browns unit that has struggled significantly, ranking last in scoring over the past two seasons.
In his new role, Monken is expected to work on retaining Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator, but that decision will be left to the two of them. Monken will also have the latitude to build his own coaching staff, having been chosen from a pool of ten candidates that included Schwartz and Rams pass coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
Whether Schwartz will choose to remain after being passed over for the top job remains uncertain, especially since he has support from prominent players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
Securing a solid starting quarterback is crucial for Monken’s plans to enhance the offense, and the Browns are prioritizing this task, coming off a disheartening 8-26 record over the last two seasons. Monken was selected for his impressive seven-year track record as a coordinator and his ability to develop quarterbacks, aligning with the team’s goals of revitalizing their lackluster offense.
Monken’s background is impressive, having spent 26 years in coaching, including a notable three-year tenure at Southern Miss where he transformed a winless program into bowl contenders. He will now lead a quarterback group featuring Deshaun Watson and rising talents Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, allowing him to influence potential roster decisions as the team prepares for the draft.
Ultimately, Monken’s mission is to elevate the Browns’ struggling offense to a level that matches its promising defense, paving the way for a more competitive future.
