The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in their head coaching search that includes a familiar name from within the AFC North.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Browns have requested an interview with Todd Monken, the Baltimore Ravens‘ current offensive coordinator. Monken brings more than three decades of coaching experience and has spent the past three seasons directing Baltimore’s offense.
The Ravens’ unit endured an uneven 2025 campaign, in part due to injuries to quarterback Lamar Jackson. Even so, Baltimore still finished No. 16 in total offense, ranked 11th in scoring, and surged to No. 2 in rushing offense behind star running back Derrick Henry.
Monken is no stranger to Cleveland. He spent the 2019 season on the Browns’ staff under then-head coach Freddie Kitchens. That season ended with a 6-10 record, and the entire staff was dismissed after just one year. But the familiarity could still resonate as the organization evaluates its next leader.
Before his NFL coordinator success, Monken’s only head coaching experience came at Southern Miss, where he went 13-25 from 2013-15. He was named Conference USA Coach of the Year in his final season. That recognition helped him land his first NFL coordinator role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Monken’s resume also includes a dominant stretch at Georgia, where he served as offensive coordinator under Kirby Smart and won two national championships.
Browns Need to Rebuild Offense After Down Year
The Browns’ No. 1 team-building priority this offseason will be the offense. Four of Cleveland’s five starting linemen from the season-opener will be free agents. Additionally, the Browns have to rebuild their wide receiver corps and solidify their quarterback situation.
“In terms of next steps, our focus is on identifying and finding the leader and the partner to bring along this young team as well as the young players that we’re going to add in the next several months,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said. “So, that work is going to be deliberate. It’s going to be immediate.”
Someone like Monken, an offensive mind, could fit the mold of what the Browns are looking for. ESPN’s Adam Schefter cautioned the Browns about pursuing a defensive-minded head coach, as it could risk losing highly touted defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
“If you’re the Browns, you are absolutely looking at an offensive-minded head coach so you can retain your defensive coordinator who is sought after. If they lose Schwartz, that defense steps back,” Schefter said. “The defense is taken care of. You don’t want to mess with something that’s successful. Let’s get the offense humming and get the quarterback right.”
Browns Heading Into Critical Stretch
The Browns have just eight wins over the past two seasons. However, the franchise has some key pieces in place, including a group of rookies who were major contributors. Owner Jimmy Haslam stressed that the next few months will be “crucial” for the franchise.
“The next 120 days are crucial for the organization,” Haslam said. “We’ve got to find the right head coach. We’ve got to be efficient again in free agency. We have 10 draft picks including two number 1s. We have four picks in the top three rounds. And we’ve got to get really good players who are really good people again. We’ve got to be opportunistic if trade opportunities come along. We are solely focused on having a great 120 days so we can start winning games around here.”
As far as the coaching search, other candidates include Schwartz, Browns current offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Mike McCarthy and recently-fired Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon.
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