The Cleveland Browns’ most important offseason addition is their new head coach. I don’t necessarily need to explain much more than that, but it’s safe to say some were surprised when the same franchise that cycled through guys like Hue Jackson, Freddie Kitchens, Gregg Williams, Rob Chudzinski, and Mike Pettine actually found stability for several seasons but still decided to move on from Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 5. I think we can all agree it’s a confusing process, but despite the waves of negativity surrounding the hiring there has to be one world in which it actually works out: Age: 602023-2025: Baltimore Ravens (Offensive Coordinator)2020-2022: Georgia Bulldogs (Offensive Coordinator)2019: Cleveland Browns (Offensive Coordinator)2018: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Offensive Coordinator) The Browns aren't simply looking for an offensive coordinator who can draw up better plays, but someone who can finally establish an identity strong enough to survive the inevitable adversity that comes with rebuilding a roster without a franchise quarterback, just months after trading one of the best players in franchise history, and in the shadow of the one guy who actually brought stability to that chair.
It’s not an easy position to be in… obviously. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders was the league’s most uninspiring quarterback competition, but that doesn’t mean the offense can’t find success leaning on young weapons like Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr. behind an offensive line that includes first-round pick Spencer Fano and veteran free agent additions Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. Jared Verse isn’t going to be Myles Garrett, but he can help alleviate some of the pain that came with trading that guy away while also anchoring a solid unit that includes recent draft picks Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger and veterans Quincy Williams, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, and Maliek Collins.
Monken’s job isn’t to win double-digit games and make the playoffs. It’s all about developing those young players and finding the right direction for the organization to head into. If he can do that, this is as good of a hire as any this offseason.
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