Todd Monken is about to coach his first regular-season game as an NFL head coach, a milestone that would understandably rattle plenty of first-time coaches heading into Week 1. But Monken isn’t feeling like you would expect for someone making his head-coaching debut.
He explained that nerves are a good thing because of the significance of the job.
“Not really. Anxiety’s too far over the top. Nerves, I think, are a good thing because you’re doing something important, something that’s frickin’ awesome. You’re gonna feel that a little bit, so that’s a good thing,” Monken said.
"Not really. Anxiety's too far over the top. Nerves, I think, are a good thing because you're doing something important, something that's frickin' awesome." #Browns Todd Monken on whether he's nervous going into his first regular season game as a head coach pic.twitter.com/IKwjWBhonJ
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 7, 2026
Monken arrives in this role after a long and successful career as an offensive coordinator, including a stint with the Ravens in which he oversaw some of the league’s most dominant offenses. His many years in the NFL of calling plays at a high level likely contribute to the calm perspective he expressed here, since Monken has already operated under significant pressure in big moments, even if this specific role as the person ultimately responsible for every decision is new.
Whether that composure translates into results once Sunday actually arrives remains to be seen, but Monken’s comments offer a small but telling window into how he plans to carry himself through what promises to be a closely scrutinized season. Cleveland’s roster carries plenty of unresolved questions, from the health of Deshaun Watson to how quickly a retooled defense under Mike Rutenberg can gel without Myles Garrett anchoring the front. Still, having a head coach who views his first game with genuine excitement rather than dread is exactly the kind of tone teams hope filters down through a locker room during a season already defined by outside doubt.
NEXT: Insider Gives His Honest Expectations For Deshaun Watson In Week 1
