"I tried to talk him out of it": Ex-Ravens head coach John Harbaugh admits he tried to stop Todd Monken from joining the Browns

The Cleveland Browns finally closed their head coaching search, but it did not come without a few nervous moments. After weeks of interviews and speculation, the team hired Todd Monken, a decision that brings optimism on offense but also reminds fans how close Cleveland came to missing out altogether. For Browns fans, the hire feels like both a relief and a gamble. Monken was never viewed as the clear favorite, and there was a real sense that his strong ties elsewhere could pull him away late in the process. Cleveland stayed aggressive, and that persistence ended up making the difference.

John Harbaugh nearly pulled Todd Monken away

The biggest threat to Cleveland’s plans came from John Harbaugh, who openly admitted he tried to keep Monken from leaving. Speaking to NJ Advanced Media, Harbaugh shared just how hard he pushed. "I tried to talk him out of it... that's my job, right?"
Harbaugh made it clear the situation was far from settled until the very end. "I really thought he was coming with us, but Cleveland was in there all along," Harbaugh shared. "He'd been there before in 2019 as the offensive coordinator, so they knew him and he wanted this opportunity. He got it, and I'm happy for him. I'm really proud of him, but we've got to go to work."
Those comments help explain why the Browns’ coaching search felt so uneasy from the outside. Many fans believed Monken would stay in Harbaugh’s orbit or possibly join the New York Giants. Instead, Cleveland leaned on familiarity, trusting their previous experience with Monken and selling him on the chance to run his own program. While some fans questioned the hire, Harbaugh’s words offer reassurance. Monken was a major driver behind Baltimore’s offensive success in recent seasons. In 2024, the Ravens led the league in total yards and rushing yards while ranking near the top in scoring. Even when injuries slowed the unit in 2025, the offense remained productive and competitive.
That track record is why Cleveland believes Monken can bring stability to an offense that has lacked identity. His arrival also puts the spotlight on the quarterback position, especially with Shedeur Sanders now viewed as a key piece of the franchise’s future.
Monken’s ability to build around Sanders and bring consistency will likely define how this hire is judged. For now, the Browns avoided a late collapse in their coaching search and landed a respected offensive mind. The uncertainty is gone. The pressure, however, is just getting started.

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