Browns Hire Todd Monken as Head Coach After 24-Day Search
Todd Monken Cleveland Browns head coach 2026
The Cleveland Browns officially named Todd Monken as the 19th full-time head coach in franchise history on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The 59-year-old veteran coordinator arrives from the rival Baltimore Ravens, where he spent the past three seasons orchestrating one of the league’s most productive offensive units. Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired on January 5 after a disappointing 5-12 campaign and has since been hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. The hire marks a return to Cleveland for Monken, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchens in 2019, though he notably did not have play-calling duties during that chaotic one-year stint. After a search that spanned 24 days and included 10 formal interviews, General Manager Andrew Berry and owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam opted for Monken’s extensive experience over younger offensive candidates and internal favorite Jim Schwartz.+1
Monken’s coaching pedigree is bolstered by high-level success in both the collegiate and professional ranks. Before joining the Ravens in 2023, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he helped lead the program to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. During his tenure in Baltimore, he was credited with the further evolution of Lamar Jackson, who won his second NFL MVP award under Monken’s guidance in 2023. In 2024, the Ravens made history as the first NFL team to record at least 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a single season. Although the Ravens’ offense dipped to 16th in total yards during an injury-plagued 2025 season, Monken’s reputation as an innovative offensive mind remained intact, making him a top candidate for multiple offensive coordinator vacancies before the Browns secured him for their lead role.
The decision to hire Monken came after the Browns identified three finalists: Monken, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. While many fans and players advocated for Schwartz to be promoted following a season where his unit ranked among the NFL’s best, the organization ultimately prioritized a total offensive overhaul. The Browns’ offense has struggled significantly over the past two years, ranking last in the league in scoring at just 15.8 points per game. Monken will now be tasked with revitalizing a quarterback room that includes Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson, while also deciding whether a major upgrade at the starting position is necessary during the 2026 offseason.
One of the most pressing questions following Monken’s arrival is the future of Jim Schwartz. While it is rare for a head coaching finalist to remain on staff under the winner, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has expressed a strong desire to keep Schwartz as the defensive coordinator. Monken is reportedly open to this arrangement, which would provide the team with vital defensive continuity while the new head coach focuses on fixing the stagnant offense. As the AFC North coaching overhaul concludes, Monken enters a high-pressure environment where he must prove that his second stint in Cleveland will lead to the stability and postseason success that eluded his predecessor.
