Todd Monken has officially coached his first game in the NFL, and it didn’t go well. The Cleveland Browns were easily trounced in Week 1, and there are already many questions and concerns about the team moving forward.
Things got off to such a shaky start that some people are already predicting Monken losing his job in the near future. But according to Tony Grossi, that won’t be the case.
Grossi sat down with the crew at ESPN Cleveland and said the powers that be don’t view Monken as expendable, although things need to change.
“I think that the ownership and the GM feel that this isn’t a one-and-done…He needs Watson to reward his confidence really quickly,” Grossi said.
Will Todd Monken be a one-and-done HC for the Browns? pic.twitter.com/6r956A0LUb
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 15, 2026
It sounds as if Monken’s job is secure, although he desperately needs Deshaun Watson to prove that he didn’t make a mistake by throwing his support behind him.
The fans need that too, for a number of reasons. In just a few weeks, the Browns will be back home in Cleveland. If the team hasn’t shown some growth by then, there is a good chance that they will hear boos from their home crowd when Watson is on the field.
Monken’s main job is to build chemistry with his players. However, another vital part of his role is to prove to the fans that they are in good hands and the future is brighter than the past. Right now, a lot of people don’t feel that way.
If the situation doesn’t get corrected, it could lead to loud calls for Monken’s firing. That doesn’t seem to be a strong possibility right now, but the Browns’ ownership may feel differently in a few months if things are still in a bad place.
It would be painful and embarrassing to let Monken go after just one season, but it would be less painful and embarrassing than multiple seasons of the Browns showing no progress with legitimate young talent on the roster.
Monken is safe for the time being, but he should still be striving for success as soon as possible.
NEXT: Deshaun Watson Given Harsh Grade After Week 1 Performance
