At second glance, Todd Monken checks a lot of boxes as Browns head coach

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.

Takeaways from the selection of Todd Monken as Browns head coach …

1. During the Browns’ coaching search, I kept harkening back to Denzel Ward''s comments about what he wanted to see in the next head coach. “Honestly, I think we need, like, assertiveness … just holding people accountable … holding the offensive guys to a higher standard … making sure guys are doing what they’re supposed to do, and just holding guys accountable when they’re not.” I interpreted those comments as an endorsement of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. But the qualities Ward desired in his next coach also apply to Todd Monken, who has the reputation of a demanding, hard-driven coach who holds his players and himself accountable. I don’t know how loudly Ward’s comments resonated with Jimmy Haslam, but if a star cornerback saw these traits lacking previously I’ve got to believe everyone else saw, too. In their official release welcoming Monken, the Haslams were quoted as saying, “He is an outstanding leader and has a clear vision to lead our team as a strong communicator who values trust with his players but also accountability and preparation.”

2. In a recent #HeyTony column, I was asked if the Browns needed “a disciplinarian coach or a younger innovative coach.” I favored the disciplinarian, again with Schwartz in mind. But, again, Monken certainly qualifies as such ahead of the third finalist, the youthful Nate Scheelhaase. So as the initial shock of Monken prevailing in this Browns coaching search wears off, the logic of the choice is making more sense.

3. I believe the Browns found it hard to reconcile promoting their defensive coordinator when the offense has floundered so poorly over the past two seasons. Ultimately, that’s probably the biggest argument to choose Monken over Schwartz. I’m pretty sure the Browns were not blind-sided by Schwartz’s angry reaction to being passed over. I don’t expect Schwartz to change his mind and agree to stay on as Monken’s DC, nor do I blame him. This might have been his last chance, and best opportunity, to get a second chance as an NFL head coach. Haslam previously let assistant coaches Kyle Shanahan and Bill Callahan out of their contracts to leave the Browns. I don’t see the merits of the Browns blocking Schwartz’s desire to leave. Without hesitation, they should grant any team’s request to interview Schwartz as its defensive coordinator.

4. The inevitability of replacing Schwartz had to be a topic in the interviews with Monken and Scheelhaase. And there is no question Monken had the edge over the neophyte Scheelhaase in tapping his network resources to replace Schwartz. Now that Monken reportedly has already hired George Warhop, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, as his offensive line coach, finding a defensive coordinator to earn the instant respect of the defensive players, who must be wounded by the expected departure of Schwartz, is his most important task in assembling his staff. I’ve floated the name of Anthony Weaver, most recently the defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins who was Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach in Monken’s first season in Baltimore. Weaver also was Browns defensive line coach under Mike Pettine in 2014-15.

5. Speaking of Warhop, he received a hearty endorsement from Joe Thomas, whose future Hall of Fame career at left tackle progressed during Warhop’s five seasons as Browns offensive line coach (2009-13). Thomas wrote in a text to me, “He is an excellent coach. Much like Bill Callahan in how he develops young players and maximizes guys’ potential.” Warhop received another endorsement from former Browns center LeCharles Bentley, owner of an O-line academy in Avon, OH. When news broke of Warhop’s hire by Monken, Bentley posted on X: “Great hire. Whatever happens with that group won’t be a ‘coaching’ issue. Players just gotta play.”

6. It speaks to the importance of the offensive line coach that Monken addressed this position immediately. Callahan was Kevin Stefanski’s second hire when he assembled his first Browns staff in 2020. Of course, offensive line coach is not governed by the NFL Rooney Rule, so hirings can happen without those protocols. Keep in mind, the Rooney Rule applies to coordinator positions and to quarterback coach. So Monken will have to interview at least two persons of color and/or a woman for offensive and defensive coordinator and at least one for quarterback coach. A candidate for offensive coordinator might be Tee Martin, Ravens QB coach, although Baltimore will try to keep him.

7. Monken is expected to be introduced to media and fans early next week, possibly on Tuesday. No doubt a big topic of discussion will be his views on the Browns’ present quarterback room of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. At this point, I don’t believe Monken’s hire favors one quarterback over the others to be the team’s opening-game starter in 2026. I would expect Monken to say there will be an open competition for the starting role. As for any future additions to the QB competition, I wouldn’t discount a drafted rookie, but probably not one in the first three rounds. What about a veteran? Clip and save this name: Tyler Huntley. Yes, the eternal ex-Raven who was on hand in two preseasons for the Browns but never took a snap in a regular-season game for them could be in the mix for a third summer stint. And why not? I’ve come to appreciate Huntley as a decent backup QB to have on a roster. Anyways, the 2026 season figures to be another “bridge” year in the Browns’ QB room.