Todd Monken Browns top priorities: personnel, QB, plan -

As Cleveland's new coach rebuilds the team, there are challenges at coordinator and in the quarterback room.

Berea, Ohio - On Tuesday at noon ET, Todd Monken will address local reporters for the first time since the Cleveland Browns drafted him on the 19th.

It's a good time for Monken, 59, to pass on his credentials to a team that has won its last eight games.

Since agreeing to the five-year deal, Munich has been on the move.He quickly brought in veteran George Warhop (offensive line), who coached with the Baltimore Ravens the past two seasons, and Travis Switzer (offensive coordinator), getting trusted assistants to join him in Cleveland.The rest of Munken's staff is expected to come together quickly when the NFL scouting combine begins on Feb. 22.

A few weeks after the merger, free agency took place on March 11 at 1 p.m.ET, and so is the actual rebuilding of the Browns' roster, which must be overhauled on offense.

As Monken begins his first NFL coaching opportunity in Cleveland, here are three priorities he and his staff should focus on in order for the Browns to contend:

Find clarity with DC Jim Schwartz

The Browns accomplished one goal in hiring Monken: They brought in a veteran offensive mind to help rebuild a young offense.But in doing so, they may have alienated defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who also interviewed for the job and has now been reassigned for a second time as head coach.

While Jeremy Fowler said Monken is willing to keep Schwartz, he added that the source said there is "no guarantee" Schwartz, who is still under contract, will remain with the Browns through 2026.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said he "definitely" wants to keep Schwartz in the organization, and general manager Andrew Berry expressed satisfaction with a defense that leads the NFL in fewest yards allowed since Schwartz arrived in 2023.But Schwartz, apparently dissatisfied, may be looking for another opportunity outside of Cleveland, and a reconciliation may be necessary.

If Schwartz leaves the organization, Monken will have the huge task of finding a replacement for Schwartz, who the Browns' defensive players love to play for and who has been touted by many as a head coach.There is continuity on the staff, with only one starter slated for unrestricted free agency, and a talent pool that should have plenty of defensive coaches waiting for opportunities when a vacancy arises.

Designing the quarterback room

Berry said during the interview process that the new coach will have a say in the quarterback room, and that could be Monken's biggest decision in Year 1. The Browns have three quarterbacks under contract for 2026 – Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel – but Berry did not commit to being a starter in his end-of-season press conference.Berry added the team will explore the quarterback market this offseason.

Monken has worked with a lot of quarterbacks with different skill sets, so he probably won't stick with the passing style.The options could be limited in free agency with nothing to do with the draft class, but Monken's experience should help Cleveland as they look for additions.

Missing the quarterback problem dadi ing looking forward to Tuesday's Monken news conference.

Marcus Spears, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and Stephen A. Smith react to the Browns' decision to hire Todd Monk as their next head coach.

Establish a standard

Over the years, Monken has directed various projects that combine aspects of Air Raid's roots with power play.Although he served as the Browns' offensive coordinator in 2019 on Freddie Kitchens' staff, he wasn't a playmaker.Monken will now be able to fully implement his offensive vision in Cleveland.

Monken has generally adapted his scheme to suit the talent of his players, but the bare closet on offense — four players along the offensive line hitting free agency in Week 1 — could mean it will take some time to really materialize during the offseason and training camp.

That flexibility was especially evident during Monken's tenure at Georgia, where he was the offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs' national championship comeback.

"Todd brings an incredible level of professionalism and creativity to our program," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.