All eyes are on Todd Monken as he takes command of Browns training camp

All eyes are on Todd Monken as he takes command of Browns training camp originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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When the Cleveland Browns open training camp, all eyes will be on Todd Monken as he leads his first practices as an NFL head coach since 2015—and his first ever with the Browns. After years of building elite offenses in both college football and the NFL, Monken now faces the biggest challenge of his career: restoring a franchise looking to rebound from a disappointing 5-12 season.

The Browns hired Monken after parting ways with Kevin Stefanski, making him the centerpiece of a new direction under owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry. While Cleveland isn’t widely viewed as a Super Bowl contender entering 2026, training camp will offer the first glimpse of the culture and identity Monken hopes to establish.

Monken brings an impressive résumé to Berea. As Georgia’s offensive coordinator, he helped guide the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships before spending three seasons coordinating one of the NFL’s most productive offenses with the Baltimore Ravens.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart once praised Monken by saying, “Todd is one of the brightest offensive minds in football,” crediting his ability to tailor an offense to his personnel and consistently put players in position to succeed. Meanwhile, former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called Monken “an outstanding football coach, an outstanding teacher and a great communicator,” qualities the Browns hope will translate into immediate leadership.

 The Browns are betting big on Todd Monken

Training camp will also feature one of the league’s most intriguing quarterback competitions, giving Monken an early opportunity to evaluate his roster. Reports indicate he plans to allow the battle to play out through joint practices and the preseason before naming a starter, emphasizing competition over predetermined roles.

Beyond the quarterback decision, Monken’s greatest task will be creating accountability and confidence throughout a young roster. Cleveland has added promising draft picks and several new contributors, but turning potential into victories starts on the practice field.

The Browns understand success won’t happen overnight. Still, Monken’s first training camp represents more than just football drills—it marks the beginning of a new culture. If his track record as an innovative play-caller and respected teacher carries over to his leadership role, Cleveland could lay the foundation for sustained success, even if the win-loss record doesn’t immediately reflect it.

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