The Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search has been anything but smooth. What started as a wide-ranging process quickly turned into a scramble, with top candidates like Mike McDaniel pulling out and others, including Grant Udinski, backing away late in the game. That left Cleveland juggling compliance with the Rooney Rule and narrowing options in a market that’s suddenly thinner than expected.
But while the spotlight stayed on flashier names, one candidate quietly stayed in the conversation: Todd Monken. The former Ravens offensive coordinator wasn’t getting much buzz early on, despite multiple interviews with the Browns. Now, as the search nears its conclusion, Monken’s name is gaining traction again-just not necessarily as head coach.
According to reports, Monken could be in play as the Browns' offensive coordinator, especially if Nate Scheelhaase, the 35-year-old rising star from the college ranks, ends up getting the head coaching job. Scheelhaase is widely respected for his offensive mind, but he’s never called plays at the NFL level. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker-plenty of young coaches have made that leap-but pairing him with a seasoned play-caller like Monken could be a smart way to balance innovation with experience.
It’s worth noting that Monken has options. He’s reportedly being considered for a reunion with John Harbaugh, who’s now with the New York Giants.
That connection-and the offensive talent the Giants have assembled-could make New York a more appealing destination. But if Harbaugh decides to go in another direction, Cleveland might have a real shot at landing Monken.
And if they do, that could be a big win for a Browns offense that needs a serious reset.
Let’s not forget what Monken accomplished with the Ravens, even with Lamar Jackson missing time due to injuries. Baltimore still averaged 24.9 points per game and finished second in the league in rushing yards per game at 156.6. That’s the kind of production Cleveland could desperately use, especially with a defense that’s already playing at a championship level.
Of course, there are still a few moving parts. If Scheelhaase gets the job, the Browns will need to sell both Monken and current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on sticking around. Schwartz, in particular, has been instrumental in building that elite defense, and keeping him in the fold would go a long way toward maintaining continuity on that side of the ball.
There’s always risk in handing the keys to a head coach in his early 30s. But the NFL has been trending in that direction for years now, and it’s worked more often than not. What matters most is building the right staff around that young coach-one that can support his vision, fill in the experience gaps, and help guide a roster that’s not far from being a serious contender.
If the Browns can land Monken as offensive coordinator and retain Schwartz on defense, they’ll have pulled off something rare: blending youthful innovation with veteran leadership. And in today’s NFL, that might be the best formula for long-term success.