One of the Ravens’ most polarizing figures lands a new gig in the AFC North, adding a new wrinkle to a divisional rivalry

What’s that saying about trash and treasure?

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer

Jan 28, 2026 11:25 AM EST

Todd Monken is staying in the AFC North.

The former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, who apparently served as a major catalyst for the team’s decision to move on from John Harbaugh, has fallen upwards this offseason. He’ll endure a much different task with his new job, however — he’s being named the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken hired as Browns head coach

Cleveland’s search has been difficult. The Browns have been challenged by the outlook of finding the right candidate to take their head coaching position and work with a sitting general manager, Andrew Berry, plus be paired with an incumbent defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz. That, plus a roster that was one of the youngest in football last season and yielded just 8 wins in the last two seasons combined, saw many of the best and brightest candidates say “thanks but no thanks”.

Monken, on the other hand, is now going to get his first head coaching position. He’ll turn 60 years old next week — making him the kind of candidate that would almost assuredly say yes if offered the gig. If not now, when?

His time in Baltimore marked a return to the NFL after a successful stint with the Georgia Bulldogs — and his first two seasons with the Ravens were considered rousing successes. Things soured in 2025 and the Ravens’ offense faltered due to injuries to Lamar Jackson, frustrating implementation at times of RB Derrick Henry, and some offensive line shortcomings. None of that, however, was enough to prompt the Browns to decide he wasn’t worth offering the job to.

This AFC North rivalry, which the Ravens lead all-time 39-15, just got a little extra shot in the arm.

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Kyle Crabbs