The Cleveland Browns are about to begin a new era. And while Todd Monken's days in charge of the organization might be somewhat stained by the team's uninspiring quarterback situation, his arrival still feels like a breath of fresh air in Berea.
Monken may not have been most fans' first choice. Most wanted to see the team follow the NFL's new trend of rolling with young, ascending assistant coaches. However, Monken's track record of success at every level speaks for itself.
That's why, with their Week 1 matchup on the horizon, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen gave Monken his flowers.
More than that — Coen credited Monken for his own journey to the NFL, explaining why the 60-year-old head coach is bound for success in Northeast Ohio:
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for Monk," Coen said. "Monk helped me out tremendously when I got the Kentucky job, and we talked a ton about game planning, about the field dimensions, about splits, about tempo, about all of that stuff. So I’ve got a lot of respect for Monk. I think he’s legit when it comes to being able to adapt to his playmakers and his personnel, and he’s proven it. … I think the personnel [in Cleveland] really fits what Monk wants to do."
Todd Monken's track record should buy him some leeway with Browns fans
The decision to start Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders was vastly unpopular. Whether it was the right one, however, is something only time will tell.
Even if that decision didn't come solely from the head coach, Monken is the kind of guy who won't let outsiders change his mind.
Regardless of who's under center or the personnel at his disposal, Monken has repeatedly kept his offense ahead of the sticks. He showcased a vertical passing game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ran a more balanced offense at Georgia, and then deployed a run-heavy approach with the Baltimore Ravens.
You can't put Monken in a box or label him. Of course, there are some common trends and tweaks — such as the pre-snap motion, wide-zone run schemes, use of fullbacks, and his fondness for getting tight ends involved — but in reality, there aren't two of his offenses that are alike.
The Browns still don't have their quarterback of the future. That has become painfully evident by now. But they do have a surplus of young offensive talent at Monken's disposal.
He can use wideout KC Concepcion in a variety of ways. He can let Denzel Boston bully his way to a first down, rally behind Quinshon Judkins' explosive runs, or trust tight end Harold Fannin Jr., his yards-after-catch specialist, to make something happen between the numbers.
It's easy to be pessimistic, and admittedly, there are plenty of reasons to think this experiment won't work. But if someone can do it, it is probably one of the most experienced offensive minds in the game, someone who has adapted his offense to his personnel and not the other way around.
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