Coaches often remember players not just for stats, but for how they prepare and carry themselves on the field. Browns HC Todd Monken has one such player in mind.

Monken was recently asked about the player he feels is the toughest. This is what he said:

“Nakobe Dean. That guy’s a bada**. Yes. I love Nacoby Dean. Oh, man. Diligent," said Monken.

Continuing his conversation with ESPN’s Kevin Clark on This Is Football, Monken praised Dean’s mentality and work ethic.

“A ready, aim, fire guy, not a fire, aim guy. Practices his a** off, holds others accountable, plays hurt.”

Dean’s numbers support that view. He has played 47 games so far, including 10 in the 2025 season. He has 7.5 sacks, 141 solo tackles, one interception, and two fumble recoveries.

Dean emerged as a true Georgia hero during his 2021 season with the Bulldogs. A standout linebacker from Mississippi, he earned the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, served as a team captain, and played a key role in leading the Bulldogs to the national championship.

In the 2022 NFL draft, Dean was picked in the third round by the Eagles. Many were surprised he dropped that far, but he still found his place in the team.

For Monken, these details matter, but his main focus is on how a player works. That is what he now wants to see from his team in Cleveland as well.

What Todd Monken Wants to See in the 2026 Browns

As the Browns move into a new season under Todd Monken, many are wondering what will actually change on the field. For Monken, the answer is not about big tactics or systems. He believes the difference should come from how the team plays every snap.

“Your physicality, your effort, and your execution pop off the tape,” Monken said in the same interview. “Because that has nothing to do with what scheme you run. That's just a core principle of, like, the way I like to say it is as much as I love winning and I hate losing.”

The Cleveland Browns are coming off a tough 2025 season where they finished with a 3-14 record. The goal now is simple: fix what went wrong and build a more stable team going forward.

What changes do you think Monken should make to take the Browns to the next level?

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi