Todd Monken’s Ravens tenure marked by self-critique as Browns make HC move

Todd Monken has been unusually direct about the defining failures of his time with the Baltimore Ravens, most notably the 17–10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 AFC Championship Game.

Rather than deflect blame, Monken has said his own decisions shaped the outcome, pointing to planning, play selection, and overall command of the offense.

His sharpest reflection centers on abandoning Baltimore’s rushing identity in that title game. The Ravens ran the ball just 10 times by design, the second-lowest figure during John Harbaugh’s 16 seasons in charge. That approach came against a Kansas City defense ranked 18th against the run in the regular season, an imbalance Baltimore never exploited.

“I wish I would have called it better. I wish I would have had a better plan. I wish I would have trusted the run game better,” Monken said. “That’ll be one I’ll have to live with forever.”

The loss remains a permanent marker for Monken, even as the organization itself changed direction. Baltimore later moved on from Harbaugh after an 18-year run, closing a chapter that included dramatic highs and an abrupt fall.

Monken has stressed that the Chiefs defeat does not linger as regret but remains fixed as a lesson tied to opportunity. “I don’t let it haunt me,” he said. “I just won’t ever forget it.”

Those reflections surfaced as Monken prepared for the next phase of his career, with Cleveland naming him head coach following a disappointing season that forced the Browns into a reset.

Accountability, regression, and why Cleveland turned to Monken

Monken’s self-assessment extends beyond one January loss. He has acknowledged that his work with Lamar Jackson did not reach the level required to sustain contention during Baltimore’s 2025 slide to an 8–9 finish.

After ranking among the league’s elite, the Ravens’ offense dropped to 16th despite returning most of its core.

“I didn’t coach Lamar well enough,” Monken said, adding that their working relationship could have been stronger.

The decline followed consecutive high-water marks. In 2023, Baltimore went 13–4 and earned the AFC’s top seed. A year later, the Ravens produced the most efficient offense in franchise history, with Jackson throwing 41 touchdown passes against four interceptions.

That momentum unraveled as injuries mounted. Jackson missed four games and exited two others while dealing with hamstring, back, knee, ankle, and toe issues. Monken resisted using health as cover, emphasizing that adaptation is part of the job.

Cleveland’s decision to hire Monken reflects both that accountability and his broader resume. The Browns finished 5–12 this season and dismissed Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 5, extending a coaching carousel that now includes 11 full-time head coaches since the franchise’s 1999 return.

Monken previously worked in Cleveland as the offensive coordinator in 2019 and brings a track record built on the run game. From 2023 to 2025, Baltimore ranked first in rushing yards per game at 166.9, first in yards per rush at 5.3, and third in rushing touchdowns with 70, according to ESPN Research.

Cleveland’s owners cited Monken’s communication style, emphasis on preparation, and commitment to development as central reasons for the hire. For Monken, the move follows a period defined by candor, failure, and lessons he has said will shape whatever comes next.

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