The Cleveland Browns’ Todd Monken hire as head coach is now a reality, much to the chagrin of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. There may be people in the building, primarily defensive personnel, who disagree with this move, but it could be just what the doctor ordered for a team perennially in the basement of the NFL.
Monken comes over from the Baltimore Ravens, who did struggle in 2025 offensively,
but that was in large part due to the availability of the MVP-caliber quarterback, Lamar
Jackson. If pressed for a review, Jackson would likely sing the praises of Monken, who
saw him for what he was, and not what previous coaches were trying to make him.
Jackson was widely viewed as a running quarterback, instead of a quarterback who
could run, and that’s a world of difference. Some of that perception had to be
race-driven, without a doubt, but a lot of it was a misevaluation of what he does well. In
2022, Jackson completed just 62.3% of his passes for 187 yards per game and 17
touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Not surprisingly, the Ravens were 19th in the league for
scoring offense.
In the three seasons that Monken was the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, Jackson
completed 66.1% of his passes, for 226 yards per game and 86 touchdowns to 18
interceptions. His passer rating over that time was 109.5, as opposed to 91.1 under the
previous OC, Greg Roman. The Ravens averaged nearly 28 points per game the last
three years as well.
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Room
Unlike the situation he walked into with Baltimore, Monken does not have an MVP
under center. As of right now, he will enter 2026 with a third-round pick and a fifth-round
pick vying for the starting job. There are a few free agents he could bring in, and a
handful of players he could trade for that would be an instant upgrade, but it’s likely he
was brought in to turn one of the ugly ducklings into a swan.
It will likely be Shedeur Sanders, since he is the only one of the two who has first-round
talent. He isn’t Lamar Jackson by any means, not even rookie Lamar Jackson. Sanders
is more like a better version of Brock Purdy. He’s a game manager with elite playmaking
ability (he just isn’t an elite playmaker all the way through).
The Browns’ Todd Monken Hire Is A Win
Whether it’s one of the sophomore quarterbacks or someone the team brings in, they
will have great seasons under Monken’s play calling. This doesn’t mean the Browns will
suddenly win the division (although if the Patriots can do it, why not?), But they will be
more formidable with Monken as the coach.
Browns fans should expect something similar from the defense this coming season,
even if Schwartz storms out of the building in a hissy fit. The good news is, they can
expect some decent quarterback play as well, which is something they haven’t seen
since early Baker Mayfield.
