The NFL has wrapped up a highly successful draft in Pittsburgh, and teams have already shifted their focus to offseason planning, including spring and summer workouts.
In the aftermath of the draft, many teams and fan bases feel optimistic, convinced they’ve significantly improved their rosters. But as history often shows, that optimism doesn’t always hold up once the season begins. For some, the reality check is only a few months away.
One team that seems destined to face that harsh reality is the Cleveland Browns. On paper, the Browns appear to have had another strong draft — one that adds positively to general manager Andrew Berry’s track record. However, a deeper issue continues to loom over the franchise.
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The Browns lack stability and consistent leadership from the top down. That problem became especially evident during their head coaching search as early as January 2026.
Although the team ultimately hired Todd Monken as head coach, he was far from their first choice. Their initial target was Grant Udinski, an offensive coordinator with ties to the Jacksonville Jaguars organization. When he withdrew from consideration, the focus shifted to Nate Scheelhaase, the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Reports indicated significant internal disagreement over the final decision. One faction pushed for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, while another backed the up-and-coming Scheelhaase. Owner Jimmy Haslam reportedly preferred promoting Schwartz to preserve the team’s elite defense, while Berry advocated for a fresh offensive-minded hire.
When Scheelhaase ultimately withdrew his name, the Browns were left choosing between Schwartz and Monken. They selected Monken, the former offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.
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The decision didn’t come without consequences. Schwartz, frustrated by the process and decision, resigned from his position shortly afterward.
This sequence of events doesn’t point to coincidence — it highlights dysfunction. When ownership interferes with football operations and overrides the front office, instability tends to follow. The Browns have seen this pattern before, most notably with the controversial acquisition of Deshaun Watson.
The difficult truth for Browns fans is that talent alone won’t fix systemic issues. Even if the roster is strong and Monken proves to be the best head coach the franchise has had since its 1999 return, the organization’s ceiling remains limited under Haslam’s ownership.
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To his credit, Haslam has contributed to the franchise in meaningful ways. He has helped elevate the Browns’ brand and pushed forward plans for a new stadium—though even that effort has sparked controversy, particularly due to its implications for the city of Cleveland.
Under his ownership, the team has also experienced some of its most successful seasons since rejoining the league, including playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023, thanks in part to hiring Kevin Stefanski.
However, Haslam’s decision to part ways with Stefanski raised eyebrows across the league. Stefanski was quickly hired by the Atlanta Falcons, reinforcing the perception that Cleveland may have let go of a proven leader too soon.
Now, the Browns enter the 2026 season with a head coach who wasn’t their top choice, following a chaotic hiring process that exposed deeper organizational flaws. Until those issues are addressed at the ownership level, the cycle of promise followed by disappointment is likely to continue.