ClevelandBrownsCommunity
Subscribe

Icon Sportswire

Feb 2, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT

NFL Insider Makes Surprising Todd Monken Admission Following Browns Hiring

The Cleveland Browns' hunt for a head coach finally came to an end with Todd Monken taking over the position.

That being said, there were rumors that there was some dispute within the team on that decision. Though Browns beat journalist and NFL insider, Mary Kay Cabot, has reported against it.

"The truth is, Monken, 59, was the ‘strong No. 1 choice’ of everyone on the search committee, including Berry, league sources tell Cleveland.com...Monken was high on the list from the start, and Berry’s first choice — like everyone else’s."

Earlier reports said that Browns' GM Andrew Berry’s preferred candidates appear not to have been chosen, despite his role as the lead on the search committee. Analysts and insiders described this as a power struggle or source of tension between the Browns' owner and GM.

“This indicates that Haslam was never comfortable with [Rams passing game coordinator Nate] Scheelhaase, and he went against the recommendation of his search committee leader and GM," Tony Grossi said. "So, you got to wonder about the future of Andrew Berry – this is all on Haslam."

But going by the latest insights, Monken was a collective decision of the team after an extensive review of 23 candidates, 8 external and 2 internal interviewees. And it can be a great decision, given the Browns' offence was better than it is today, the first time Monken was around.

He was the Browns' offensive coordinator here under Freddie Kitchens in 2019. Baker Mayfield had a decent statistical year with 3,827 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Nick Chubb was a bright spot, finishing second in the league in rushing yards with 1,494 and scoring eight touchdowns.

Todd Monken, the first request made by the Browns the day after they fired Kevin Stefanski. And while it does look like Andrew Berry and Jimmay Haslam agreed on him as the HC, is everybody happy with the decision?

Are the Browns All In on Todd Monken?

While there has been no public statement from Myles Garrett and Jim Schwartz, there are speculations of them not being very happy with the former Ravens' OC as their head coach.

Garrett shared a cryptic Instagram story where one could see a tired or disappointed person. Fans have widely interpreted it as the star defensive end expressing his displeasure with the hiring. Things do not look good at Jim Schwartz's end either.

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero said, "After the Browns informed DC Jim Schwartz this morning they were passing him over to hire Todd Monken as head coach, Schwartz was visibly upset, said goodbyes in the building and told other coaches he’s not coming back, sources tell The Insiders. Schwartz is under contract and Cleveland wants to retain him. But his future is now unclear."

What do you think about Monken?

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu