Todd Monken had a well-deserved reputation as an offensive tactician when he was hired to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns. What the Browns were hoping was that he could build on that expertise while also creating a more successful overall culture within the franchise.
So far this season, Monken has arguably fared much better at the intangible part of the job than the on-field performance of the offense. Granted, quarterback Deshaun Watson has led a fourth-quarter comeback in each of the Browns’ two victories, but the unit has left a lot to be desired other than that.
That’s just fine with analyst Ken Carman, who revealed that Monken’s desire to do anything he can to win is what has impressed him the most.
“I think that what he’s done here to get this team to 2-1 is pretty remarkable. I think the biggest challenge that he was gonna have, getting the culture going, getting these guys to believe in themselves, eliminating pre-snap stuff, eliminating turnovers. There’s a lot of stuff that they’ve addressed. I think he’s doing what’s necessary and leaving ego at the door to win. I think Todd Monken is going to do whatever he can to win,” Carman said.
“I think Todd Monken is going to do whatever he can to win.”@KenCarman on what’s impressed him about Monken through the Browns’ 2-1 start — and why his willingness to leave his ego at the door stands out.#Browns pic.twitter.com/GrzoCuYZLv
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 29, 2026
Monken and the Browns have wound up on the right side of a narrow margin of error in their two victories, which could be considered a credit to him, as these are games they likely would have lost in the past. In Cleveland’s 23-19 win at Tampa Bay in Week 2, after a two-hour weather delay, the Buccaneers’ drive for the winning touchdown reached the 13-yard line but was set back by a holding penalty.
Then, in the 21-18 win against the Panthers, Carolina had an interception overturned by a roughing the passer penalty. Watson threw the go-ahead TD three plays later.
Monken has also been rightfully praised for naming Watson the starting quarterback and sticking with him after an awful performance in the season-opening 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The QB has bailed out his head coach with his fourth-quarter excellence following three quarters of substandard play in each game.
In the fourth quarter this season, Watson has completed 20 of 22 pass attempts (90.9 percent) for 253 yards and three touchdowns. That means, in the other nine quarters combined, he is 36-for-60 (60.0 percent) for 334 yards and two TDs.
Cleveland is also second in the NFL in penalties, and, excluding Watson’s 105 yards rushing, it has averaged 52.7 yards per game on the ground, but it’s much better trying to improve in those areas with two wins already in the bank.
NEXT: Rob Parker Calls Out Deshaun Watson Doubters
