The Cleveland Browns have officially named Todd Monken as their new head coach, according to multiple reports, concluding a turbulent search process that saw several high-profile candidates withdraw from consideration.
A Search Marred by Withdrawals
Monken's appointment comes after a series of rejections that highlighted the perceived challenges of leading the Browns organisation. The team interviewed ten individuals for the position following the dismissal of Kevin Stefanski at the start of January. However, the search became notable for the number of candidates who removed themselves from contention, surpassing the number of finalists during the three-week period.
Grant Udinski opted to remain with the Jacksonville Jaguars as offensive coordinator, withdrawing on Monday. Furthermore, scheduled second interviews with Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter were cancelled. McDaniel, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, will instead serve as the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator, while Minter was appointed head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
Monken's Background and Immediate Challenges
Todd Monken joins the Browns after three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, where he oversaw a unit that ranked second in the league for rushing yards per game this season and eleventh in scoring. His offensive schemes were instrumental in Baltimore achieving the top-ranked offense in 2024, making history as the first NFL team to record at least 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a single season.
Prior to his tenure with the Ravens, Monken served as the offensive coordinator for the University of Georgia from 2020 to 2022, contributing to back-to-back national championship victories in 2021 and 2022. He also has previous experience with the Browns, having worked as offensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchens in 2019.
Retaining Defensive Strength
One of Monken's first and most critical tasks will be attempting to retain defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, whose contract with Cleveland has one year remaining. Schwartz has been the architect of one of the NFL's premier defenses over the past three seasons. Under his guidance, the Browns led the league in total defense in 2023 and ranked fourth this season, with star defensive end Myles Garrett recording 23 sacks and breaking the NFL single-season record.
The situation is delicate, as Schwartz was passed over for the head coach position, and his response remains uncertain. Maintaining the defensive excellence he has cultivated will be paramount for the Browns' immediate competitiveness.
The Quarterback Conundrum and Offensive Rebuild
A more significant long-term challenge for Monken will be stabilising the quarterback position and developing a sustainable offense. The Browns' quarterback situation has been notably unstable; during Stefanski's tenure, the team started a league-high 13 different quarterbacks, including seven over the past two seasons alone.
The franchise's major gamble was the 2022 trade for Deshaun Watson, which involved releasing Baker Mayfield and sending five draft picks, including three first-round selections, to the Houston Texans. This move has not yielded the expected returns. Watson has participated in only 19 games for Cleveland, compiling a 9-10 record as a starter with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 80.7. He missed the entire recent season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
Owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledged the misstep during league meetings last March, stating the organisation "took a big swing and miss" with the Watson trade and must now "dig ourselves out of that hole."
Recent Performance and Future Prospects
This season, rookie Shedeur Sanders started the final seven games, achieving a 3-4 record amidst significant challenges, including a makeshift offensive line and the absence of key players. The Browns' offensive struggles were historic; they joined the 1968 Buffalo Bills as the only teams in the Super Bowl era to have rookies lead the team in passing, rushing, and receiving yards.
Looking ahead, the Browns possess the sixth and twenty-fourth overall picks in the upcoming NFL draft, along with ten selections total, including four in the top three rounds. Haslam emphasised the importance of the coming months, declaring on 5 January: "Let me just say this, the next 120 days are crucial for the organisation. We've got to find the right head coach. We've got to be efficient again in free agency. We have 10 draft picks, including two number ones. We have four picks in the top three rounds. And we've got to get really good players who are really good people again. We've got to be opportunistic if trade opportunities come along. We are solely focused on having a great 120 days so we can start winning games around here."
Monken becomes the seventh head coach hired by owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam since they acquired the franchise in 2012. The previous six coaches accumulated a regular-season record of 73-139-1, the second-worst in the NFL over that period. Despite fielding a strong defense, the Browns finished 5-12 this season and 8-26 over the past two years, underscoring the scale of the task facing the new head coach.
