Monken spent the past three seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, helping Lamar Jackson win his second MVP award. He also guided a prolific offense that produced 41 touchdowns to four interceptions for Jackson, and oversaw Stetson Bennett’s two national championships at Georgia, highlighting his offensive résumé without NFL head-coaching experience.
On Speakeasy, Acho contended that any expectations for Sanders under Monken would likely be unmet, saying there is nothing about Monken as a head coach that should excite Sanders or his locker room. He questioned how Monken would command the team and why Sanders or teammates would listen to him, given Monken’s lack of NFL head-coaching credentials.
“I don’t even have expectations for Shedeur under Todd Monken, because I believe any expectations I would have, he would not meet,” Acho added in his assessment of the pairing. He emphasized the need for proven NFL leadership at the helm of a young quarterback’s development.
Meanwhile, Monken’s hiring sparked internal discord within the Browns’ building. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who interviewed for the job, was reportedly upset by the decision. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Schwartz told colleagues he was “done” with the team after learning Monken would be the new head coach, a reaction that could complicate the defense’s cohesion.
Schwartz’s exit could pose challenges for a unit that includes star players such as Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, who reportedly valued playing for him. As the franchise processes the fallout and the broader implications of the Monken hire, the situation remains fluid, with the coaching staff’s future and how it affects the locker room still developing.
