Browns kick off coaching search with a familiar face: Todd Monken

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The Cleveland Browns have officially initiated their search for a new head coach, and their first target is a name that will ring a bell for many in Northeast Ohio.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Browns have requested an interview with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. As the franchise looks to turn the page and establish a new direction, they are turning their eyes toward a division rival and a coach who has spent the last three seasons orchestrating one of the league's most potent attacks.

For Browns fans, Monken is not a new name, though his previous tenure in Cleveland is associated with a chapter most would prefer to leave in the past. Monken served as the offensive coordinator under Freddie Kitchens during the tumultuous 2019 season.

That year was widely regarded as a disappointment given the high expectations of a sophomore Baker Mayfield and a recently-acquired Odell Beckham Jr., but it is important to note the context of Monken's role at the time. Despite holding the title of coordinator, he did not call the plays, a duty that Kitchens retained for himself. The chaotic nature of that 2019 staff eventually led to a house cleaning, but Monken’s career trajectory has only pointed upward since his departure.

Following his exit from Cleveland, Monken revitalized his stock in the collegiate ranks, becoming a key architect of the University of Georgia’s recent dynasty.

He helped lead the team to a National Championship victory over Alabama in the 2021 season, proving his scheme could topple the best defenses in college football. He followed that up with an even more dominant performance the following year, winning his second championship as Georgia dismantled TCU 65–7 in the 2022 National Championship.

Fresh off that collegiate triumph, Monken returned to the NFL in 2023 to take the reins of the Baltimore Ravens' offense. Over the last three years, he has established himself as one of the premier play-callers in the league. His impact in Baltimore was immediate and sustained.

Under his guidance, the Ravens' offense has been a statistical juggernaut. In terms of yards per game, his units have ranked 6th, 1st, and 16th over the last three seasons. Perhaps more importantly, they have excelled at getting on the scoreboard, ranking 4th, 3rd, and 11th in points per game during that same span.

Monken’s success in Baltimore has not gone unnoticed around the league, and he has been a popular name on the coaching carousel for some time now. This is not the first offseason he has garnered significant interest for a top job.

After the 2023 season, he interviewed with both the Los Angeles Chargers and the Carolina Panthers. His name remained in the mix the following year as well, as he sat down with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears in 2024. Despite these flirtations with head coaching roles, he remained in Baltimore, continuing to refine an offense that has tormented AFC North defenses, including the Browns.

Now, Cleveland has the opportunity to bring him back, not as a subordinate in a dysfunctional system, but potentially as the leader of the franchise. His familiarity with the division, combined with a proven track record of maximizing talent at both the college and pro levels, makes him an intriguing first candidate.

As the Browns look to stabilize the organization and return to winning ways, Monken offers a blend of offensive ingenuity and experience that clearly appeals to the front office. Whether the second time around in Cleveland proves to be the charm remains to be seen, but the search is officially underway.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns kick off coaching search with a familiar face: Todd Monken

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