Browns GM Andrew Berry, HC Todd Monken have one shot to get QB right

SB Nation

Like many of you, as a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan (Sandusky, Ohio native here), all that matters is that the team wins games and, at some point, wins the Super Bowl in my lifetime. Besides some general

morality concerns, I do not care how they get there. They can run the ball, throw the ball, have great pass rushers, have great defensive backs, acquire top players through the NFL draft or through NFL free agency, I do not care.

For Browns GM Andrew Berry and new HC Todd Monken, the “how” does matter, at least a little bit.

We will never know for sure how involved Berry was in the decision to trade for QB Deshaun Watson, but that was the big quarterback acquisition of his career. Given the magnitude, it is obvious that owner Jimmy Haslam and former HC Kevin Stefanski were involved as well. Now, after Stefasnki’s ouster, Berry has one shot to get the quarterback position right. After knocking it out of the ballpark in the 2025 NFL draft, Cleveland’s general manager still has to get premium positions, especially the quarterback spot, right or risk being fired.

For Monken, the pressure is squarely on his shoulders to get the Browns offense turned around. It is also, perhaps, the only NFL head coaching job Monken will get. Having just turned 60 years old, Monken has worked with a wide variety of quarterback types, recently valuing athletic quarterbacks but noting he is open to whatever system works best for his players. The highly successful offensive mind may never get another chance to define his offense with a quarterback he shares this much power in selecting.

As the NFL offseason gets going in quick order, will Berry and Monken be picky with their one shot or feel pressure to just take the best available quarterback available in NFL free agency or the NFL draft, even if they are not completely sold? Did QB Shedeur Sanders do enough as a rookie to allow the general manager and head coach to buy some time before putting their flag in the ground on “their quarterback,” which could be Sanders?

In the end, winning is winning, but for Berry and Monken, how and when play a role as well. Berry is young enough and respected enough around the NFL (maybe even at a higher rate than Stefanski, who was highly sought after this offseason), but his next quarterback decision could define his tenure and time with the Browns. Monken has his one shot at sitting in the big chair, and his success starts at the quarterback position.

Given the two men in charge, it seems unlikely they will ride with just any quarterback that is available to them in the 2026 NFL draft or NFL free agency. Instead, Berry and Monken will likely be as picky as possible, delaying a major decision until the right QB becomes available.

How do you think Berry and Monken’s history and future should and could impact their QB decision this offseason?

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