Todd Monken's initial greeting with Shedeur Sanders suggests Sanders will have a much fairer chance at the starting QB job under his new coach. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
When Todd Monken is introduced as Browns head coach on Tuesday, two issues stand out as needing immediate attention.
1. What is the status of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz?
Unhappy about being passed over for the head coach job, Schwartz reportedly cleaned out his office and told assistant coaches he was leaving the organization. Problem is, Schwartz has one year left on his Browns contract with an additional team option year, and the team doesn’t want him to leave.
To that end, the Browns and Monken are trying to persuade Schwartz to change his mind and re-create a positive working environment. While Monken has made numerous hires to his offensive staff, the fact that no changes have been made on the existing defensive staff is a sign the Browns are still hopeful of Schwartz staying.
The Browns wanted the issue resolved before Monken’s introduction on Tuesday.
2. What are Monken’s plans to upgrade an offense that finished 31st in points, 30th in total yards, 31st in passing yards, 27th in rushing yards, 29th in third-down efficiency, and 30th in first downs?
At his season-ending press conference prior to hiring Monken, GM Andrew Berry said, “Specifically to the offense … it’s no secret that’s where we’re going to invest most of our resources this offseason.”
So Monken’s task in his first season is clear. Which is the primary reason the Browns chose him over Schwartz to succeed Kevin Stefanski.
As Monken completes his coaching staff, he and his new assistants must familiarize themselves through meticulous film study with the players they inherit and initiate decisions that will transform the offense.
Here is a summary of what they will find:
Quarterback
Under contract: Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson.
Analysis: After being placed on a shelf for much of his first season, Sanders started the last seven games and won three, including the last two against division rivals Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Sanders showed improvement over his time, but finished 41st among 42 qualifying quarterbacks with a passer rating of 68.1, 42nd with a completion percentage of .566, and had seven touchdowns v. 10 interceptions. A viral video clip posted by the Browns of Monken greeting Sanders with a hearty bro dap suggests Sanders will get a fairer shot than last year in an open competition for the starting job.
Seen as Stefanski’s favored rookie, Gabriel made six starts, winning one, and was felled by a concussion in what proved to be his last game. Gabriel’s numbers were a tad better than Sanders’ in certain categories, particularly passer rating (80.8) and ball security (seven TDs v. two INTs), but his 5.1 yards per attempt spoke to a frustrating reluctance to stretch defenses vertically.
After rehabbing from Achilles tendon surgeries in October and January, Watson was medically cleared to practice on December 3. The 21-day window to activate Watson expired and the Browns placed him on injured reserve to end the season.
Berry’s comment: “We’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified. I can’t sit here and tell you today whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external. But it’s something that we’re going to work through over the next several weeks. And quite honestly, the new head coach will also have a lot of input into that as well.”
Offensive line
Under contract: Jeremiah Byers, Jack Conley, Kingsley Eguarku, Kendrick Green, Dawand Jones, KT Leveston, Cornelius Lucas, Justin Osborne, Tyre Phillips, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter.
Analysis: The contracts of predominant starters Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin – who made a total of 63 game starts in 2025 – are all up. Bitonio is contemplating retirement v. coming back for a 12th season. Jones, who had been pegged as a future stalwart at left or right tackle, has finished each of his three years with season-ending injuries.
Berry’s comment: “The offensive line [is] a position group that I do imagine will have a fair amount of turnover as we go into 2026. But we also do feel like it was important this year and quite honestly going into next year to give young players snaps if we’re ultimately going to build the core and foundation that we need to win perennially.”
Wide receiver
Under contract: Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley, Kaden Davis, Luke Floriea, Jerry Jeudy, Gage Larvadain, Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Wooden.
Analysis: This is the weakest position group on the roster and arguably the weakest receiver group in the NFL. Only the Tennessee Titans had a No. 1 receiver with fewer receptions than Jerry Jeudy’s 50. Also, the Browns’ four touchdowns among wide receivers were the fewest in the league.
Berry’s comment: “I think there’s a lot of work that we still need to do on the offense from a personnel standpoint. I think that we have a number of players that will continue to be pillars and are players that we’ll continue to develop and invest in. But the offense is going to have significant investment this offseason.”
Tight end
Under contract: Sal Cannella, Harold Fannin, Caden Prieskorn.
Analysis: One of the many success stories of the 2025 Browns draft, Fannin led the team with 72 receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns. For the first time since he was drafted in 2018, David Njoku appears not in the team’s plans.
Running back
Under contract: Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Rocket Sanders.
Analysis: Judkins missed all of training camp while a legal situation played out, made his NFL debut in Game 2, and started 14 games overall before going down with a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula in Game 15, for which he underwent surgery. He led the team with 827 yards rushing and seven rushing TDs. Despite missing three games, Judkins finished third among rookie backs in yards and tied for fourth in TDs. Sampson had 175 yards rushing and 271 receiving with two TD catches.