Todd Monken Walks Into Cleveland — and Straight Into a Crisis
Most NFL head coaches get at least a full season before anyone questions their job security. Todd Monken did not get that luxury.
Monken accepted the Cleveland Browns head coaching position in January 2026, has not coached a single regular season snap, and has been on the job for approximately four months. Yet according to Fox Sports NFL reporter Henry McKenna, Monken is already on a hot seat, along with general manager Andrew Berry, before a single game has even been played. ARTVOICE
This is the reality of coaching the Cleveland Browns in 2026. And it raises one big question: did Monken walk into the most impossible job in the NFL?
What Henry McKenna Actually Said
The story exploded when McKenna published a detailed piece raising serious questions about the franchise’s direction — and the futures of the people running it.
McKenna stated that both Monken and Berry could be out of a job before the end of the 2026 season, pointing to the Browns’ need for a new quarterback, which would likely come from the 2027 NFL Draft. Yahoo Sports
McKenna’s exact words were blunt: “The Browns can’t really afford to tank, not with GM Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken on hot seats. Yeah, that’s right, they could both get fired. Monken hasn’t coached a single down yet, but the Browns struggled to attract a top candidate in the 2026 hiring cycle, mainly because of the team’s salary cap issues and quarterback issues — which all tie back to Watson.” Heavy Sports
The report sent shockwaves through the NFL community — and for good reason. It is almost unheard of for a new head coach to face firing speculation before training camp even begins.
Who Is Todd Monken — and Why Did Cleveland Hire Him?
Before diving into the crisis, it is worth understanding who Monken is and what he brings to Cleveland.
On January 28, 2026, Monken was officially hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He arrives with strong credentials in offensive coaching, a field he has dominated for over a decade. Wikipedia
During his three seasons as Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, Monken consistently helped field one of the NFL’s stronger offenses, finishing inside the league’s top 10 in both 2023 and 2024. He also helped Lamar Jackson win his second NFL MVP award in 2023 — a résumé line that would impress any franchise. Complex
Before his time with the Ravens, Monken won back-to-back national championships as Georgia’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022. Before that, he led Tampa Bay’s offense to record-breaking numbers in 2018 and previously served as Cleveland’s offensive coordinator under head coach Freddie Kitchens in 2019.
Monken’s Coaching Highlights at a Glance:
- 3 seasons as Ravens OC (2022–2025) — top-10 offense in 2023 and 2024
- Back-to-back national championships at Georgia (2021 and 2022)
- Browns OC under Freddie Kitchens in 2019
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC in 2018 — franchise record for passing yards (5,125)
- Head coach at the University of Southern Mississippi (2013–2015)
The Job Nobody Wanted
Here lies the core of the problem. Cleveland’s head coaching search in 2026 did not exactly attract the biggest names in the league.
The Browns held a thorough coaching search but saw many top candidates pull out or decline interviews. It ultimately came down to Monken and former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, with Monken considered a dark-horse candidate who many expected to follow John Harbaugh to New York as the Giants’ offensive coordinator. Heavy Sports
Why did top candidates avoid Cleveland? The reasons are no secret.
McKenna noted that some around the league viewed Cleveland’s opening as a difficult job because of financial constraints and quarterback instability — both issues that tie directly back to Deshaun Watson’s troubled tenure. Yardbarker
The Browns carry one of the heaviest salary cap burdens in the league, largely because of Watson’s enormous guaranteed contract. With limited flexibility to build a roster, whoever coaches Cleveland faces an uphill battle from day one.
The Quarterback Chaos: Watson vs. Sanders
If the cap situation is the slow-burning fire, the quarterback battle is the one that could ignite everything.
Cleveland currently carries four quarterbacks on their roster — Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Green — and the starting competition remains wide open heading into the summer. ARTVOICE
Watson’s story in Cleveland is one of the most complicated in recent NFL history. He signed a reported $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022 but has delivered almost nothing in return. He served an 11-game suspension, suffered a torn shoulder, then tore his Achilles twice. Watson last played for the Browns in 2024, going 1–6 while completing 63.4% of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions before tearing his Achilles. Sports Illustrated
Sanders, meanwhile, emerged as a late-round surprise in the 2025 draft and started the Browns’ final seven games last season. Sanders completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing 10 interceptions as Cleveland went 3–4 in those games. Sports Illustrated
According to Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Watson currently holds the upper hand in the competition, getting the lion’s share of first-team reps during voluntary minicamp — while Sanders received fewer opportunities and Dillon Gabriel received none. CBSSports.com
Monken, however, refused to commit publicly. When asked if he would like to have a starter decided before training camp, Monken said, “I would love to have that. I’m not there yet. We’ve been on the field three practices.” NFL
Monken hopes to name a starting quarterback by the end of the Browns’ minicamp scheduled for June 9–11. On3
Where Each QB Stands Right Now:
- Deshaun Watson — Early edge in first-team reps, but hasn’t played well since 2020; recovering from two Achilles tears
- Shedeur Sanders — Limited first-team reps in minicamp; showed flashes as a rookie but inconsistent; brings excitement from the fan base
- Dillon Gabriel — Zero first-team reps so far
- Taylen Green — Sixth-round rookie; raw but athletic
The 2027 Draft Scenario — and Why It Makes This So Complicated
McKenna suggested that if the Browns finish with a strong young team and a high draft pick, they could pursue a top-tier coaching candidate or hot coordinator prospect — similar to how the Chicago Bears attracted Ben Johnson after selecting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Yahoo Sports
In other words, a losing 2026 season might actually reset Cleveland’s future. A high pick in the 2027 NFL Draft — widely regarded as a strong quarterback class — could give Cleveland the asset it needs to rebuild properly.
Cleveland could also make star pass-rusher Myles Garrett available for trade between June 1 and the fall trade deadline. Trading Garrett to acquire assets for the highly rated 2027 draft class could make the Cleveland job more appealing to a top-tier coaching candidate next cycle. Yardbarker
This creates a painful situation for Monken. He needs to win games to keep his job, but winning too few games could actually serve the franchise’s long-term interests. It is a no-win scenario.
What Monken Inherited: The Stefanski Shadow
Monken replaced Kevin Stefanski, who the Browns fired after six seasons in Cleveland. Stefanski led the team to the playoffs twice and earned two Coach of the Year awards during his tenure. Heavy Sports
Those are large shoes to fill for a first-time head coach stepping into one of the NFL’s most scrutinized markets.
To address the offense, Berry worked hard this offseason to overhaul the offensive line, acquiring Elgton Jenkins, Tytus Howard, and Zion Johnson, while also adding draft picks Spencer Fano, Austin Barber, and center Parker Brailsford. The Browns also added receiver depth by selecting KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to pair alongside Jerry Jeudy. Heavy Sports
The investment in the offensive line is real and meaningful. But it means nothing without a competent quarterback under center.
What Needs to Happen for Monken to Survive
For Monken and Berry to keep their jobs beyond 2026, several things must go right:
- The quarterback situation must stabilize — Whether Watson or Sanders wins the job, he must play well enough to keep the offense functional
- The offensive line investment must pay off — Cleveland spent significant capital retooling the trenches; that group must perform
- The defense must remain strong — Cleveland’s defense gives Monken a foundation; he cannot afford to waste it with a broken offense
- Win enough games to prove legitimacy — A disastrous 3–14 season with no signs of progress will accelerate both Monken and Berry’s exits
Browns Fan Verdict: Cautious Optimism — For Now
Despite the noise, Monken has earned positive early reviews from the players around him. Second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders described Monken’s arrival as bringing a “new vibe” and “new energy” to the Browns during offseason workouts. Complex
Players generally respond well to Monken’s direct coaching style, and his offensive expertise gives Cleveland a credible plan — at least on paper.
The problem is that paper plans do not win football games. Quarterbacks do. And right now, Cleveland does not have one it can count on.
Key Takeaways
- Monken joined Cleveland on January 28, 2026, replacing fired head coach Kevin Stefanski
- Fox Sports reporter Henry McKenna says both Monken and GM Andrew Berry could be fired before the 2026 season even ends
- Deshaun Watson currently leads the QB competition but carries enormous baggage and injury history
- Shedeur Sanders remains in the race but received fewer reps during minicamp
- Salary cap issues and roster constraints made Cleveland a difficult job that top candidates avoided
- A 2027 draft reset scenario looms — the Browns may prioritize a franchise QB next year over winning now
- Monken aims to name a starting QB by the end of minicamp on June 11
