The Cleveland Browns shocked the football world when they hired Todd Monken as their next head coach. He was always in the mix and listed as a potential candidate, but all signs pointed toward younger options.
Grant Udinski drew strong consideration and even got a second interview with the team. Ultimately, he withdrew from the race and took a raise to remain offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The fact that Udinski chose to remain an assistant rather than become the youngest head coach in the NFL spoke volumes about the Browns' situation.
Now, after watching the Jaguars put up 360 yards and 34 points in a game where they took their foot off the gas in the second half, one can only wonder whether the Browns hired the right guy.
Grant Udinski's Browns what-if looks a lot more interesting after Week 1
There were too many questions when Udinski and Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase removed themselves from consideration to keep assistant coaching positions. Was starting Deshaun Watson a non-negotiable part of the deal? If so, they knew what was coming.
To be fair, it's not fair to say Todd Monken isn't the right guy for the job after just one game. Yes, the Browns looked unprepared, and Watson played as poorly as anyone could've predicted, but it's still way too early.
Then again, maybe the Browns didn't have another choice. Maybe it was down to Monken or Jim Schwartz, with no one else willing to put the Browns job on their résumé.
Under Udinski, the Jaguars finished the 2025 season sixth in scoring. He helped propel Trevor Lawrence to the strongest season of his career, and the Browns just saw firsthand the type of offense they could've had in Week 1.
Unlike the Browns, the Jaguars do have a franchise quarterback, which is no small detail. But one can make a case for the Browns having a better group of skill players. What could Udinski have done with KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Harold Fannin Jr., Quinshon Judkins, and anyone but Watson at quarterback?
Todd Monken had as strong of a track record as the Browns could have hoped for. Maybe they truly felt better about his experience as an offensive guru both in college and the pros. Like any new coach, he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
That said, one can only wonder how different things could have been with someone else at the helm — or whether those who withdrew themselves from consideration actually dodged a bullet.
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