The Cleveland Browns have reached a major decision in their head coaching search, agreeing to hire former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as the franchise’s next head coach, according to league sources cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Monken, who turns 60 on February 5, replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was dismissed on January 5 after six seasons in Cleveland. The Browns struggled mightily this past year, finishing 5–12 and failing to regain momentum after their 2023 playoff appearance. Since that postseason run, Cleveland has posted an 8–26 record, prompting ownership to pursue a significant reset.
The hire marks a reunion of sorts. Monken previously served as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator during the 2019 season under Freddie Kitchens. He now returns with far more experience and credibility, taking over as the 11th full-time head coach for the Browns since their NFL return in 1999 — a figure surpassed only by the Las Vegas Raiders in that span.
A Surprise Ending to a Wide-Ranging Search
Monken was one of five candidates who received in-person interviews, alongside defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, and Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn. Udinski later withdrew his name, while Cleveland also explored second interviews with Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter, both of whom exited the process after taking other positions.
Many around the league expected Monken to follow John Harbaugh to the New York Giants if he didn’t land a head coaching role, but Cleveland moved decisively to secure him instead — leaving New York in search of a new offensive coordinator.
A Long Coaching Journey Pays Off
Monken brings more than 30 years of coaching experience across college football and the NFL. He previously served as head coach at Southern Miss from 2013 to 2015, highlighted by a 9–5 season and a Conference USA Coach of the Year award in 2015. Afterward, he transitioned back to the NFL, spending three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His stock soared following a successful three-year run as offensive coordinator at Georgia, where he helped guide the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. That success carried over to Baltimore, where Monken played a key role in Lamar Jackson’s second MVP season and oversaw the No. 1 offense in the NFL the following year — the first time the Ravens achieved that distinction.
Fixing Cleveland’s Biggest Problem
In Cleveland, Monken’s primary challenge will be reviving an offense that has ranked dead last in scoring over the past two seasons, averaging just 15.8 points per game. Former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees followed Stefanski to Atlanta, while wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea departed for Kansas City.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry has already signaled aggressive offensive spending this offseason and confirmed that Monken will have a voice in the quarterback decision. Deshaun Watson, who missed the 2025 season while recovering from a torn Achilles, is expected to return in 2026, joining a quarterback room that also includes rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
A Strong Defense Already in Place
While the offense remains a major question mark, Monken inherits one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses. Under Jim Schwartz, the Browns have allowed the fewest yards per game over the last three seasons and boast the league’s best third-down defense.
Star pass rusher Myles Garrett, who recorded 23 sacks and broke the single-season sack record, is the overwhelming favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year honors next week. Whether Schwartz remains on Monken’s staff is unclear, though owner Jimmy Haslam has publicly expressed a desire to retain him.
What’s Next for Cleveland
The Browns enter the 2026 offseason armed with the sixth and 24th overall picks in the first round, along with 10 total draft selections. With Monken now in charge, Cleveland is betting that an offensive-minded leader can finally stabilize a franchise that has cycled through coaches for decades.
For the Browns, this hire represents both urgency and optimism — a belief that Todd Monken’s system, experience, and leadership can finally turn promise into sustained success.
