Browns Appoint Todd Monken as Head Coach, Former Ravens Coordinator
The Cleveland Browns have officially appointed Todd Monken as their new head coach, a strategic move following his stint as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
Todd Monken: New Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns
Monken brings extensive experience to the role, having spent the last three seasons in Baltimore. Under his guidance, the Ravens’ offense led the NFL in total yards and yards per play in 2024. With a coaching career spanning 11 years in the NFL, Monken also previously worked with the Browns as an offensive coordinator in 2019.
Monken’s Coaching History
- 2013-2015: Head coach at Southern Miss.
- 2016: Offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- 2019: Offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.
- 2021-2023: Offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns parted ways with former head coach Kevin Stefanski on January 5. They conducted an extensive search, interviewing nine candidates initially, followed by five in-person interviews with Monken being one of the finalists. Other notable candidates included:
- Jim Schwartz – Browns Defensive Coordinator
- Grant Udinski – Jaguars Offensive Coordinator
- Nate Scheelhaase – Rams Pass Game Coordinator
- Anthony Lynn – Commanders Run Game Coordinator
The Future for the Browns
Monken’s appointment comes at a critical time as the Browns aim to rebuild their offensive roster. The team has experienced quarterback instability, with five different starters in 2023 and four in 2024. Shedeur Sanders led the Browns in the last seven games of his rookie season, while Deshaun Watson is expected to return for the final year of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2026.
During his time in Baltimore, Monken contributed to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s significant achievements, including Jackson’s second NFL MVP award in 2023 and a career-high 4,172 passing yards with 41 touchdown passes in 2024. This contrasts sharply with the Browns’ total of 35 touchdown passes over the last two seasons.
Next Steps for Monken
Monken will focus on assembling his coaching staff. If he decides to retain Schwartz, the NFL’s Rooney Rule mandates that the team must conduct two in-person interviews for coordinator roles. It remains uncertain whether Monken will handle play-calling himself or delegate this responsibility to another staff member.
With the Browns committed to addressing offensive challenges, only time will reveal how Monken’s experience and strategies will reshape the team’s future.
