The Cleveland Browns are heading into the offseason with one of the NFL’s most lopsided rosters - a top-tier defense paired with an offense that, frankly, couldn’t get out of its own way. The numbers speak for themselves: 31st in both points scored and passing yards, and 27th in rushing yards per game. That’s not just underwhelming - it’s a full-blown red flag for a team hoping to compete in an increasingly loaded AFC North.
Enter Todd Monken, the new head coach with a reputation for offensive creativity and adaptability. Whether it was dialing up deep shots in Tampa Bay or leaning into a ground-and-pound approach with Derrick Henry in Baltimore, Monken has consistently shown he can mold a scheme to fit his personnel. But here's the catch: right now, the Browns don’t have much personnel to mold.
Outside of rookies Harold Fannin Jr., Quinshon Judkins, and Dylan Sampson - three young players who showed flashes but are still developing - the offensive cupboard is pretty bare. The wide receiver room needs a serious injection of talent, the offensive line has regressed, and the quarterback situation remains a giant question mark. If the Browns are going to turn things around, it starts with giving Monken real input into how this roster is built.
That means general manager Andrew Berry needs to be on the same page with his new head coach - something that didn’t always seem to be the case during Kevin Stefanski’s tenure. Stefanski may have taken the fall, but the issues ran deeper than just play-calling. Predictability and conservatism on offense were symptoms of a larger disconnect between vision and execution - and that disconnect often starts in the front office.
Monken didn’t take this job to be a figurehead. He sold the Browns on a plan, a vision for revitalizing an offense that’s been stuck in neutral.
Now he needs the keys to execute it. That includes being involved in free agency decisions, draft strategy, and perhaps most importantly, the search for a quarterback who can actually run his system.
It’s no secret that ownership - particularly Jimmy Haslam - has a history of being hands-on, sometimes to a fault. For Monken, navigating that dynamic will be just as important as scheming up third-down plays. If he can build a productive relationship with Berry and get Haslam to support rather than steer, there’s a path forward here.
The Browns don’t need to become an offensive juggernaut overnight. With the defense they have, even an average offense could put them in playoff contention. But to get there, Monken has to be more than just the guy calling plays - he has to be a voice in the room when the roster is being built.
This offseason will be telling. If Monken’s influence is felt in the personnel moves, we might finally see a Browns offense that complements its elite defense. If not, it could be another year of missed opportunities in Cleveland.