Monken, in his first year leading Cleveland, explained the mix-up and how the moment created an unusual omission from the 32-team lineup. The incident resulted in a group photo featuring 30 coaches, with Monken and the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay as the notable absentees.
This offseason marks Monken’s first NFL head coaching role, after serving as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator for three seasons and previously holding roles at the University of Georgia and another stint with the Browns. He has been clear about his objective: elevate Cleveland’s offense to an elite level and build toward championship contention.
The Browns’ quarterback situation remains the program’s central strategic focus. Cleveland plans an open competition among Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel, though Monken indicated reps will be distributed non-uniformly as he assesses the roster through the offseason program. Sanders has emerged as a potential front-runner heading into spring practices.
Monken has praised Sanders’ playmaking ability and mobility, while also emphasizing that the evaluation process will be thorough and aligned with last year’s practices. The goal is to determine the best path to maximize the offense and maximize the team’s championship window.
