Cleveland Browns news (2/15): Well, we’re waiting!
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken, facing, shakes hands with general manager Andrew Berry as he takes the podium for his introductory press conference at the team's training facility, Feb. 3, 2026. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesCleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken looks to be putting together what should be an admirable coaching staff.
Sure, he may have missed out on a few names, because who could resist the siren's song of working with the latest Super Bowl champs in Seattle? But there is reason for hope that fans will not be seeing a repeat of some of the disasters that plagued previous first-time head coaches when they entered the hallowed halls of team headquarters in Berea.
There is still one big hire looming, of course, which is finding a replacement for the departed (and apparently misguided) Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator. Monken has a nice looking list of candidates he is reportedly talking with, so perhaps this will be the week that particular item is checked off and everyone can head to Indianapolis for the annual Scouting Combine in good spirits.
In the meantime, there is news afoot, so let's dive in with today's edition of the Sunday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature- Browns NFL Draft: UF's Austin Barber is a sneaky option for Cleveland at OT (Matthew Wilson) - Florida's Austin Barber is one of the most underrated players in the 2026 draft class.
- Browns GM Andrew Berry, HC Todd Monken have one shot to get QB right (Jared Mueller) - The details matter, and for Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken and general manager Andrew Berry, their one shot at a quarterback matters a lot.
- Browns NFL Draft: Could OSU's Max Klare be a perfect fit at TE2 going forward? (Matthew Wilson) - Ohio State tight end Max Klare has what it takes to play right away in Cleveland.
- Browns Free Agency: OL Dylan Parham could help replace a legend (Barry Shuck) - The Cleveland Browns may not be too active in NFL free agency, but they need a new offensive line. Dylan Parham could help
- Browns offseason approach to rebuilding the offense shouldn't be draft or bust (Curtiss Brown) - Cleveland's roster needs a lot on offense, which means general manager Andrew Berry should use NFL free agency as well as the NFL Draft to fill the holes.
- What I'm hearing about the Browns' roster, QB situation, coaching (Terry Pluto) - I did some checking with sources, and here's what I was told. As the Browns look at their roster, they believe it needs a massive overhaul on offense. That was one of the main reasons Todd Monken was hired as coach over former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
- Joel Bitonio Cleveland Browns Decision Day - 16th Feb (Orange and Brown Report) - The Cleveland Browns have two days left to come to an agreement on the future of Joel Bitonio, what are the options and processes to avoid a $23.5 million dead cap charge in 2026.
- Agent's Take: Browns are stuck with Deshaun Watson for another year and will pay dearly for his departure (CBS Sports) - The Browns paid a heavy price to acquire Watson, and there's plenty more to come before they can turn the page.
- Falcons OC Tommy Rees Carries Hard Lessons From Cleveland (si.com) - New Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has had a unique path to his new post at Flowery Branch.
- Raiders promoting assistant Rob Leonard to DC (ESPN) - The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to promote run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
- Jaguars still plan to utilize Travis Hunter as two-way player but could flip usage to full-time CB (NFL.com) - It's long been expected the Jaguars will continue to play Travis Hunter at both wide receiver and cornerback after his rookie season was cut short by a knee injury.