After a lengthy, complicated search process, the Cleveland Browns have hired Todd Monken to be their next head coach.
Monken, 59, has been the Ravens’ offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, though
he was not expected to return in 2026 after the departure of head coach John Harbaugh. He interviewed for the Browns’ head coaching vacancy twice and emerged as their choice on Wednesday after several other candidates withdrew from the race. Among them were Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, new Chargers OC Mike McDaniel, and new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter.
This move has a ripple effect of ramifications around the NFL, including several that specifically pertain to the Ravens:
- Harbaugh was planning to bring Monken to New York as his offensive coordinator; now, he will have to look elsewhere. He could very well go back to his former staff in Baltimore and consider quarterbacks coach Tee Martin for the job. The Ravens would not be able to block such a move, though they could promote Martin to their own OC job to retain him.
- Monken may try to bring Ravens coaches with him to Cleveland, too. He could offer Martin a promotion, bring other offensive assistants, and even tap Zach Orr or one of his lieutenants as his defensive coordinator. Other potential Ravens DC targets like Anthony Weaver could also opt for play-calling DC jobs in Cleveland.
- Monken’s defensive coordinator will almost certainly not be incumbent DC Jim Schwartz, who is understandably upset about getting passed over for the head coaching job. The Browns were banking on him staying no matter what, but Schwartz seems intent on getting out of his contract and getting the hell out of Cleveland. It is hard to blame him!
- If Schwartz becomes a free agent, he will become one of the most popular DC candidates in the league given his strong career resume and success in Cleveland over the past few years. The Ravens were the only other team to give him a head coaching interview this cycle and should consider him for their DC job. Schwartz may prefer a play-calling opportunity – perhaps in San Francisco – but he does have a connection to Baltimore. He was the Ravens’ outside linebackers coach from 1996 to 1998 and coached Peter Boulware, Michael McCrary, and Rob Burnett, three of the franchise’s top-10 leaders in career sacks. At a minimum, it is worth a try!
- Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase was also a finalist for the Browns’ head coaching job. He is not expected to get the same job in Las Vegas or Arizona, which could keep him available as an offensive coordinator for the Ravens. If Rams OC Mike LaFleur is hired by the Cardinals, Scheelhaase will likely take his job in Los Angeles, but the opportunity to call plays for Lamar Jackson will still be hard to turn down.
This story will be updated with more information.
