Players are showing up in Berea for the start of new head coach Todd Monken's first-ever offseason program with the Cleveland Browns, triggering an unofficial countdown to the start of the 2026 campaign. 

There's a long way to go until September, though, and plenty of questions for the team to answer. As the groundwork begins, here are the three biggest questions Monken needs to resolve over the next several months. 

A real curveball here.

Joking aside, the decision over who will start under center for the Browns in 2026 is the alpha and the omega of questions Monken must answer in the months ahead. 

The 60-year-old head man has continually said he wants to have a good sense of who QB1 is at the start of training camp, to ensure that he can appropriately distribute the reps in favor of the quarterback who will be starting Week 1.

That makes work this spring very important for Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel to prove where they belong in the pecking order. While it generally doesn't matter who is present for the voluntary portion of the offseason program, it does matter for that trio, as they prepare to duke it out for the starting job. 

Things will really ramp up when the team can get out on the field and start doing 11-on-11 work during OTAs, and by the end of mandatory minicamp we'll see where Monken stands on naming a starter. 

Most of the Browns offseason resources to this point have gone toward fixing the offensive line. A similar trend could follow during the NFL Draft in three weeks. Even before any potential rookie additions join the roster, though, Monken has to start getting a sense of who fits where in the trenches on offense. 

Trade acquisition Tytus Howard revealed during his introductory press conference that he was told he'll be playing right tackle. There's a chance that could change, depending on who Cleveland drafts, but for now that spot feels accounted for. 

Monken mentioned at the annual meetings last week that he'd love for free agent addition Elgton Jenkins to play guard after spending the 2025 campaign as a center for the Green Bay Packers. His versatility is a good thing to have, but where he finds a permanent home will be notable. 

The same goes for Zion Johnson, who has played both guard spots throughout his career. Cleveland will have to determine which side they want him to play. 

Then there's a glaring hole at left tackle, which seems likely to be addressed on draft weekend. Still, how they piece this group together will set a tone for what the offense is capable of next season. 

Monken's motto since arriving in Cleveland has been all about finding what his players do best and then using it to help the team win on Sundays. The next few months will provide him with an opportunity to find out exactly what each of his players does well. 

On a larger scale, Monken has to establish an identity for his team on both sides of the ball based on each unit's strengths. On defense, that seems pretty obvious already, although there are bound to be some slight differences with Mike Rutenberg running the show. 

The offensive side is Monken's baby and based on how he's talking, it sounds like running the football will be the foundation for everything else they do. Monken even wants to add a fullback into the mix to help that cause. 

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