The Cleveland Browns don’t have much recent history worth repeating. But this season already has many similarities to one of the most successful campaigns of recent years.
Now, head coach Todd Monken will try to continue on the path of success his predecessor, Kevin Stefanski, had in his first season. That ended with a playoff berth and a Coach of the Year honor.
According to Kalshi, Monken has a very good chance at one of those accomplishments, ranking third in the odds for the major NFL award.
“NFL Coach of the Year Favorites, via Kalshi: 14% — Todd Monken,” Kalshi Sports posted.
NFL Coach of the Year Favorites, via Kalshi:
16% — Ben Johnson
15% — Klint Kubiak
14% — Todd Monken
12% — John Harbaugh
6% — Minter, O'Connell, Shanahan
5% — Reid, Stefanski
4% — Liam Coen
3% — Canales, Moore
2% — Brady, Macdonald, SteichenWho's most deserving? pic.twitter.com/uZ4oDXT6lQ
— Kalshi Sports (@KalshiSports) October 8, 2026
Monken is behind only Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears at 16 percent, and Klint Kubiak of the Las Vegas Raiders at 15 percent. That is ahead of Jim Harbaugh of the New York Giants, who is fourth at 12 percent.
As a prediction market, this is an interesting list because it reflects a widespread public perception of who deserves the award. It means the Browns are being appreciated for what they have accomplished in Monken’s first four games as an NFL head coach.
Back in 2020, the Browns hired Stefanski as an offensive-minded head coach. After a discouraging season-opening loss, Cleveland went on a winning streak and took a 3-1 record into Week 5.
The Browns improved to 4-1, finished 11-5, and made the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. Stefanski easily won the Coach of the Year voting ahead of Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills.
This season, Monken suffered a 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in his debut as one of the oldest first-time head coaches in NFL history. But the Browns have rebounded with wins against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stefanski and the Browns did not win the AFC North in 2020, getting into the playoffs as a wild card and defeating the Steelers before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. Monken’s team is currently in first place in the division as Cleveland tries to win it for the first time since being reinstated to the NFL in 1999.
If the Browns do pull off that historic achievement, Monken could wind up winning the award.
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