Current Status and Hiring
Todd Monken is the current head coach of the Cleveland Browns, hired in January 2026 to replace Kevin Stefanski. The Browns conducted a thorough coach search but struggled to attract top candidates due to salary cap issues and quarterback problems tied to Deshaun Watson. Monken was considered a dark-horse candidate and had been expected to follow John Harbaugh to the New York Giants as offensive coordinator before the Browns hired him.
Early Pressure and Hot Seat Watch
Despite not having coached a single down, Monken has already been placed under hot-seat watch. Fox Sports NFL reporter Henry McKenna stated that if Monken's first season does not go as planned, both he and general manager Andrew Berry could be fired. The high expectations stem from the large shoes Monken must fill, as predecessor Kevin Stefanski led the Browns to the playoffs twice and won two Coach of the Year awards.
Background and Experience
Monken spent the past three seasons as Baltimore's offensive coordinator, helping Lamar Jackson win his second NFL MVP in 2023. Before Baltimore, he won back-to-back national championships at Georgia and served as Cleveland's offensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchels in 2019. His offensive expertise is crucial as the Browns attempt to rebuild an offense that averaged just 16.4 points and 281.8 total yards per game last season.
Primary Challenge: Quarterback Competition
Monken's biggest challenge is resolving the Browns' quarterback situation. He has four quarterbacks on the roster: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Tayen Green. Monken has declined to name a starter, instead dubbing it an open competition. As of early May, he stated he was unable to identify a leader after only three days on the field.
Offensive Rebuild Efforts
General manager Andrew Berry has made significant moves to support Monken's offense this offseason. The Browns overhauled their offensive line by acquiring Elgton Jenkins, Tytus Howard, and Zion Johnson, plus drafting Spencer Fano, Austin Barber, and center Parker Brailsford. Cleveland also addressed receiver depth by adding KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to pair with Jerry Jeudy. 
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