Andrew Buller-Russ
For the first time in six years, the Cleveland Browns have a new head coach. Todd Monken, like the coach before him, is an offensive-minded specialist. He won’t be coming to Cleveland to keep things the same, not after the Browns ranked 31st in scoring this season.
Monken may even tap into some of his previous coaching ties to recruit star talent to Cleveland. Monken comes from the Ravens, but he’s also been an offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs, the Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns “are expected to be among the many teams interested” in signing Mike Evans.
Monken was Evans’ offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018 (he was also his WR coach in 2016 and 2017, too). Evans’ most productive seasons came under the guidance of Monken, including a league-leading 173 receptions in their first season together.
Of course, the six-time Pro Bowl receiver is now 32 years old, but teams are hoping the player who recorded 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons still has more in the tank. After a broken collarbone limited Evans to just eight games last season, including the first time he fell short of 1,000 yards, now he needs to prove he’s not only healthy but ready to dominate again.
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