The Cleveland Browns have hired Todd Monken as their new head coach. This comes after a tough season for the team, and many hope he can fix their problems, especially at quarterback. The news was reported widely on January 28, 2026, and it gives the Browns a fresh start.
The Browns have had a hard time for many years. Over the past 18 years, they only had two winning seasons. Their offense struggled a lot last year because of bad quarterback play. They even had five different quarterbacks on the roster at one point, but none did well enough to lead the team.
Todd Monken comes from the Baltimore Ravens, where he was the offensive coordinator for the last three seasons. Under him, the Ravens scored a lot of points. They ranked fourth in points one year, third the next, and eleventh in 2025. This shows Monken knows how to build a strong offense.
Monken has worked with the Browns before. In 2019, he was their offensive coordinator for one season. The team fired head coach Freddie Kitchens at the end of that year, and Monken left too. Before Baltimore, he also worked as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He even coached at the University of Georgia, where his team won national titles in 2021 and 2022.
The biggest problem for Monken will be the quarterback spot. The Browns traded for Deshaun Watson in 2022 and gave him a big five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract. But Watson has not played much because of injuries and other issues. In three seasons with Cleveland, he started just 19 games, threw 19 touchdowns, and had 12 interceptions. He was great in Houston before that, with 104 touchdowns and three Pro Bowls. His contract ends after 2026, and it costs the team $80.7 million against the salary cap next year, so it's hard to trade him.
Last season, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders got chances to start. Gabriel played six games and threw seven touchdowns, but the team played it very safe with him. He got hurt with a concussion, so Sanders took over. Sanders had some good moments but made too many mistakes. Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the worst quarterbacks in 2025. Still, he got a Pro Bowl spot, which surprised many.
None of these quarterbacks have proven they are the answer. Watson's time in Cleveland has been a big failure after his strong years in Houston. The team might draft a new quarterback with their No. 6 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A new coach like Monken often picks his own guy, so this could be key to his success.
The Browns are not all bad. Their defense was solid in 2025, ranking 14th in points allowed. Star player Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record. He is one of the best defensive players in the league and can wreck games on his own. With him around, the defense should stay strong.
The team fired Kevin Stefanski after six seasons. He took them to the playoffs twice and won AP Coach of the Year both times. His winning percentage of .442 was the best for the Browns since Bill Belichick in 1995. Stefanski was popular and quickly got a head coach job with the Atlanta Falcons. Some fans might wonder if letting him go was a mistake.
Many saw the Browns job as one of the worst openings this offseason. But Monken's hiring is a blow to teams like the New York Giants, who wanted him too. He interviewed twice with Cleveland and beat out others.
Monken has 11 years of NFL experience. In Baltimore, his offense was top-ranked in rushing some years and even had over 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in 2024, a first in league history. Fans hope he can bring that to Cleveland.
For Browns fans, this is a chance to end years of losing. The team has not won much since the 1990s. If Monken fixes the quarterback mess and uses the defense well, things could change. He must decide who starts next season, Watson, Gabriel, Sanders, or a rookie. The pressure is high, but his track record gives hope.
The 2025 season was 5-12 for the Browns, and they went 8-26 over two years. Stefanski's era had highs, but not enough wins. Monken steps into big shoes, but his offensive mind could help. The front office will support him with draft picks and free agents.
Cleveland has talent beyond Garrett, like a solid defense overall. But offense needs work. Monken's job is to score more points and win games. Fans are excited but careful after so many coaches failed.
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