Todd

Monken

Monken, after coaching one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses over the past three seasons, will take over as Cleveland’s head coach after the team had several coaching candidates withdraw their name from consideration in recent days. Monken, 59, was the Browns offensive coordinator back in 2019, when the team ranked 22nd in most yards and points. He’s also served as OC for the Bucs. “By choosing Monken,” Russini said, “the Browns select a respected offensive mind with experience.” It’s not known whether Monken will retain Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was a candidate for the top job.

Schwartz could land the Browns’ head coach gig by default with so many candidates pulling out of the search for the league’s most unappealing job. During five seasons as Lions head coach, Schwartz was a disaster, posting a 29-51 record. He was unable to make the Lions a competitive team for much of that time; even the team’s defense was subpar. Schwartz, 59, would likely be a placeholder coach until the Browns can convince a young, up-and-coming coach to take a job no one really wants. Nate Scheelhaase and Todd Monken are reportedly also in the mix to coach Cleveland.

Fowler notes that Monken “is still sorting through options” and remains in the mix for the Browns’ head-coaching vacancy, but the long-time Harbaugh assistant would make for a natural fit in New York. Monken’s ability to get the most out of his team’s pass attack has been his calling card throughout his career, and he helped lead Lamar Jackson to his second-MVP in 2023 during his first year as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. With a talented young group of Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, and Wan’Dale Robinson already in place, Monken would have plenty to work with out of the gate should he re-join Harbaugh with the Giants.

Monken will have an in-person interview with the Browns on Tuesday. Making it to the second round of interviews is a good sign for his odds of landing the job. Even if he doesn’t, Monken is a highly coveted offensive coordinator who will have no issues finding work for 2026. He is already considered one of the leading candidates for the Giants’ OC job. Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is also getting a second interview for their head coaching vacancy.

Schrager puts Monken at the top of the list. Earlier today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Monken is “among the leading candidates” for the role. He should probably be considered the favorite. However, the four remaining candidates are Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka, Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury and Browns OC Tommy Rees.

John Harbaugh is expected to officially sign with the Giants later today. His refusal to move on from Monken was reportedly one of the reasons for his falling out with the Ravens. The Bucs are also interested in Monken for an OC gig. That would reunite him with Baker Mayfield after the two spent a year together in Cleveland. Of note, Jim Harbaugh also has an OC opening, though we suspect Monken will simply stick with John and head to New York. Though Lamar Jackson’s play fell off this year, Monken got an MVP season out of him and nearly picked up a second, though Josh Allen swiped the award at the final hour. The hope will be that Monken’s success with the hyper-mobile Jackson will translate to a second-year leap for Jaxson Dart. Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo would also get a boost in early drafts if Monken signs on.

Monken hasn’t parted ways with the Ravens quite yet, but there’s no way he’ll stay on with the team after John Harbaugh was fired in part for refusing to fire Monken. Monken’s Ravens offense was one of the league’s most efficient units over the past few seasons. His work with Baker Mayfield in Cleveland for one season could make Monken an appealing hire for a Bucs team looking to right the offensive ship after a rocky second half of the 2025 season.

Not that this is unexpected news, but Monken does appear to be very publicly saying that he won’t return to his post as Ravens OC after the firing of John Harbaugh. Monken has a history of coordinating good NFL offenses and would be an interesting pickup for a number of teams in need of a good play caller on that side of the ball.

In other words, ownership wanted to make some changes there. John Harbaugh wanted to run it back. It’s probably not the only reason that the Ravens moved on from the the 63-year-old Super Bowl champion, but it happened to be a big one. Monken had reportedly interviewed for the Michigan head coach job, among others, and is still regarded highly across the football landscape. Russini also reports that Kliff Kingsbury is “a name to watch” in Baltimore.

It’s probably a little more surprising than it would have been at this time last year, as Monken’s offense struggled while Lamar Jackson dealt with injuries. Still, Monken has a good reputation as an offensive play-caller and the Browns would definitely seem to be leaning in the direction of either a CEO coach or offensive mind so they could retain DC Jim Schwartz. The Ravens finished 11th in offensive DVOA despite Jackson’s injuries.