Todd Monken isn’t wasting a second in reshaping the Cleveland Browns in his image. Hired as the team’s new head coach, Monken is assembling what’s quickly becoming one of the most intriguing offensive coaching staffs the franchise has seen in nearly two decades.
If you’re a Browns fan still reminiscing about the 2007 season - when Derek Anderson threw 29 touchdowns, Jamal Lewis ran wild for over 1,300 yards, and Cleveland finished 10-6 - this new era might finally give you something fresh to believe in. That 2007 squad ranked 7th in points per game, and while it didn’t lead to long-term success, it gave fans a glimpse of what a high-powered Browns offense could look like.
Fast forward to now: Cleveland just finished 31st in scoring. But with Monken in charge and his hand-picked offensive minds in place, there’s real reason to think a turnaround is coming - and fast.
Monken arrives in Cleveland fresh off a successful stint as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator, where he helped engineer a dynamic, explosive attack. With Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry as his centerpieces, Monken leaned into a “vertical push” philosophy - stretching the field with aggressive downfield concepts while using the run game to keep defenses honest. That blueprint helped Baltimore consistently rank among the league’s best in explosive plays.
Now, Monken is bringing that same DNA to the Browns. And he’s not doing it alone.
Let’s break down the key offensive hires Monken has made - and why this group could be the backbone of something special in Cleveland.
Mike Bajakian - Quarterbacks Coach
Monken and Bajakian go way back to their days in Tampa Bay, where Bajakian played a major role in Jameis Winston’s back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. Bajakian has earned a reputation as a quarterback developer - someone who can elevate young talent and fine-tune mechanics and decision-making.
Enter Shedeur Sanders. The rookie QB just earned a Pro Bowl alternate nod - the first Browns quarterback to receive that kind of recognition since Anderson in 2007. With Bajakian now in the building, Sanders has a coach who knows how to bring the best out of young arms.
Travis Switzer - Offensive Coordinator
Switzer is another familiar face from Baltimore, where he was instrumental in crafting the Ravens' high-octane offense under Monken. As Baltimore’s run game coordinator, Switzer helped design one of the league’s most physical and creative ground attacks - a perfect match for a Browns team with a young, talented backfield.
Cleveland has been searching for a modern, aggressive scheme - one that blends power football with explosive potential. Switzer brings that balance, and he knows how to tailor it to the personnel on hand.
Jeff Blasko - Tight Ends Coach
Blasko returns to Cleveland after a strong run with the Jets, and he brings valuable continuity, having previously worked under Monken in 2019. His specialty?
Creating matchup nightmares with versatile tight ends. That’s music to the ears of Browns fans, especially with Harold Fannin Jr. entering his second season after a breakout rookie campaign.
Blasko’s ability to scheme open tight ends and deploy them creatively could make Fannin a central figure in this offense - not just a safety valve, but a weapon.
George Warhop - Offensive Line Coach
This is a big one - literally and figuratively. Warhop brings more than 25 years of NFL coaching experience to the offensive line room, and he’s no stranger to Cleveland. From 2009 to 2013, he helped mold Hall of Famer Joe Thomas into one of the game’s all-time greats.
Warhop’s return signals a renewed focus on building from the trenches out. With a young quarterback like Sanders, having a steady, veteran presence guiding the offensive line is invaluable. Warhop knows how to build a cohesive unit - and he knows what excellence looks like in Cleveland.
Danny Breyer - Pass Game Coordinator
Breyer is another Monken disciple from Baltimore and Tampa Bay. Most recently, he worked with the Ravens’ tight ends and served as an offensive assistant. But his background is even broader - he’s also worked in analytics and on the defensive side, giving him a unique, well-rounded perspective.
In his new role, Breyer will help craft the passing game structure - blending Monken’s vertical concepts with route combinations that maximize separation and timing. His familiarity with tight ends could also help unlock even more from Fannin and the Browns’ other pass-catchers.
Daniel Stern - Associate Head Coach
Every head coach needs a trusted right hand - especially in high-pressure, in-game situations. That’s where Stern comes in.
He was a key behind-the-scenes figure in Baltimore, known for his game management and clock strategy. Now, he steps into a more prominent role as Monken’s associate head coach.
For a first-time NFL head coach, having someone like Stern in the headset - tracking timeouts, managing challenges, and helping with late-game decisions - is a huge asset. It’s a move that shows Monken is thinking beyond the X’s and O’s.
What’s Next?
For the first time since 2007, the Browns have a Pro Bowl quarterback and a coaching staff with the pedigree to match. Monken’s hires bring experience, innovation, and familiarity with his system - a rare combination that gives Cleveland a real shot at building something sustainable.
Now the ball is in GM Andrew Berry’s court. With the coaching infrastructure in place, the next step is talent acquisition - bolstering the offensive line, adding dynamic skill players, and ensuring Monken and his staff have the tools they need to bring their vision to life.
The Browns have been chasing offensive relevance for years. With Monken at the helm and this super staff behind him, they might finally be closing in.