September 16, 2018 - Tampa, Florida, U.S. - MONICA HERNDON Times.Offensive coordinator Todd Monken walks on the field before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 16, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Florida News - September 16, 2018 - ZUMAs70_ 85486193st Copyright: xMonicaxHerndonx

Feb 2, 2026, 12:30 PM CUT

"Tried to Talk Him Out of It": John Harbaugh Reveals Last Conversation with Todd Monken Before Browns Move

The Cleveland Browns have found their head coach in Todd Monken, but John Harbaugh had his eye on him.

Harbaugh found his new home with the New York Giants after the Baltimore Ravens fired him, and he wanted bring in the former Ravens OC as well. In an interview with NJ Advance Media, he said:

"I tried to talk him out of it. That’s my job, right? I really thought he was coming with us, but Cleveland was in there all along, and he had been there before in 2019 as the offensive coordinator, so they knew him, and he wanted this opportunity."

Todd Monken and Harbaugh worked for three seasons together after the Ravens hired the former as OC in 2023. Together, they led an elite offense that ranked first in the NFL in total offense (424.9 yards per game), rushing, red-zone efficiency, and yards per play in 2024.

In 2023, the Ravens ranked top-6 in scoring and yards, and Lamar Jackson won the MVP for the second time. No doubt why the Giants' head coach wanted the Browns HC as the OC on his team, but he is also happy for him.

"He got it, and I’m happy for him. I’m really kind of proud of him, but we’ve got to go to work," John Harbaugh said. Interestingly, the Browns were one of the first teams to approach Harbaugh for the head coach spot after the Ravens fired him, as per reports, but things didn't work out.

Todd Monken was the first guy the Browns approached after they fired Kevin Stefanksi, interviewing him on the 10th and 20th of January.

He was also the OC of the team back in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens. Now that he is back in a new role, he is building the team.

Who is Todd Monken bringing in to the Browns' Coaching Staff?

As far as the reports, the Browns HC has no intentions of touching the defensive staff of the Browns, but he nearly has his entire offensive staff in place. Take a look -

Jeff Blasko – Tight Ends Coach

Mike Bajakian – Quarterbacks Coach

George Warhop – Offensive Line Coach

Ian Kolste – Offensive Quality Control

Daniel Stern – Analytics / Game Management

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu