Todd Monken isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on the Cleveland Browns. Just days into his new role as head coach, Monken is already deep into the process of assembling his coaching staff - and his latest move brings a familiar face back to Northeast Ohio.
Bobby Johnson is expected to join the Browns as an assistant offensive line coach, according to reports. It’s a hire that adds both experience and a bit of a homecoming flair to Monken’s growing staff.
Johnson, who was most recently with the Washington Commanders, comes to Cleveland after helping guide one of the league’s more quietly efficient offensive lines in 2025. Under his watch, Washington’s front allowed just 13 quarterback hits and 137 pressures - both ranking fourth-best in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. That’s no small feat in a league where offensive line play is under the microscope every week.
It also marked a significant rebound for Johnson after his previous stint with the New York Giants in 2023. That season, the Giants’ offensive line struggled mightily, surrendering a league-high 85 sacks. Johnson was let go after the year, but his bounce-back in Washington shows the kind of resilience and adaptability that coaches need in today’s NFL.
Johnson’s coaching journey has taken him across the league over the past decade and a half. He spent time with the Buffalo Bills as their offensive line coach from 2020 to 2021, and before that, served as an assistant OL coach with the Colts in 2018.
He’s also logged time on the offensive side of the ball with the Raiders, Lions, and Jaguars - often working with tight ends or offensive linemen. His NFL career began back in 2010 as an assistant offensive line coach with the Bills.
But this move to Cleveland isn’t just another stop on the coaching carousel - it’s a return to his roots. Johnson played high school football at Archbishop Hoban in Akron, where he earned the title of Division III Lineman of the Year in 1991.
He went on to play at Miami University and later coached the offensive line there for six seasons. So when he walks into the Browns facility, he’s not just bringing NFL experience - he’s bringing Northeast Ohio pride with him.
In Cleveland, Johnson will work under newly named offensive line coach George Warhop, another veteran with a deep résumé. Together, they’ll be tasked with building a unit that can protect the quarterback and set the tone in the run game - two areas that will be critical as Monken installs his vision for the Browns’ offense.
Monken’s staff is still coming together, but Johnson is one of several new additions already in place or on the way. The most pressing vacancy remains at defensive coordinator, following Jim Schwartz’s resignation after being passed over for the head coaching job. That hire will be pivotal, especially given how well Schwartz’s defense performed last season.
For now, though, Monken is clearly focused on building from the trenches out - and in Bobby Johnson, he’s bringing in a coach who knows what it takes to both develop talent and bounce back from adversity. It’s a savvy move that adds depth, experience, and a bit of local flavor to the Browns’ sideline.