The shared and complicated history between the Baltimore Ravens, formerly the Cleveland Browns, and the reborn Browns of 1999 has led to notable crossover, territorial awkwardness and some wildly memorable games.
Before January, though, no one had ever sat in an office inside the Ravens’ training facility while preparing to interview for the Browns’ head-coaching job. But Todd Monken did, and he got the opportunity he’d long hoped for. Upon leaving, he even recommended the man who’d eventually replace him as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator.
Monken, who helped elevate Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as a passer and called the plays during Jackson’s second MVP season, has now officially been tasked with trying to resuscitate the Browns and mold an intriguing young roster into the kind of consistent winner the Ravens have been.
Sunday in Cleveland, Monken’s 3-2 Browns face a 4-1 Ravens team that may or may not have Jackson in the lineup but will certainly be trying to tighten its grip on first place in the AFC North.
Though Monken has said since being hired in Cleveland that he’s grateful for his time and experiences in Baltimore, sentimentality and emotion are taking a backseat to urgency over the next several days. The Browns weren’t very good last week in a driving rainstorm against the New York Jets and saw their three-game win streak wash away.
To get the good vibes of a surprising start back, the Browns need to win Sunday and claim a share of first place before playing their next three on the road.
“It’s a divisional game, and it’s the next one,” Monken said Wednesday. “Really, that’s what that is. Did I enjoy my time there? Of course. A lot of really good memories. I have a lot of good friends and people there, but other than that, no, it’s a divisional game. It’s the next one.”
The Ravens, behind backup quarterback (and former Brown) Tyler Huntley, rallied for an overtime win in Atlanta Sunday night to extend their win streak to three. Jackson again wasn’t on the field Wednesday as the Ravens began their standard practice week, leaving some questions as to whether he’ll be available against Cleveland.
There’s no questioning the results Monken and Jackson produced together in 2023 and 2024, Monken’s first two seasons as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator.
Jackson’s 2023 completion percentage was a career-best 67.2, up nearly five points from the previous season, as part of an MVP year that saw Jackson throw for 3,678 yards, run for 821 and account for 29 total touchdowns. In 2024, Jackson threw for 4,172 yards, rushed for 915 and accounted for 45 touchdowns. He was limited by injury in 2025, and after the Ravens recovered from a 1-5 start but faltered in their season finale, they missed the playoffs and fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons.
