Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is straight up calling out Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s supposed calm demeanor ahead of their Week 6 rivalry game. Henry is convinced Monken, who coached him in Baltimore for three years, won’t be playing it cool at all, especially not behind closed doors with the Browns’ locker room. He didn’t mince words, stating, “He might not say it in the media, but to the team, he definitely talks a lot of trash and letting them know he wants to beat us.” That’s a direct shot, and it sets the tone for a heated matchup this Sunday.
Monken Plays It Cool, But His Old Squad Knows The Score
Monken, for his part, tried to brush it off, telling the media that multiple people had already sent him the clip of Henry’s comments. “It’s not personal. It’s strictly business,” Monken insisted on Friday. “Do I want to win? Not more than any other week. And my message isn’t any different this week than it was the previous five weeks.” But Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey wasn’t buying it either. Earlier this week, Humphrey made it clear what he expects from his former coordinator: “If I know Todd the way I think I know Todd, he will want to kick our tail.” It seems like the Ravens players who know Monken best are all in agreement: this isn’t just another game for him, no matter what he says publicly.
Battle Lines Are Drawn: History, Injuries, and Momentum
Monken’s history with the Ravens is a big part of why this game feels personal for the players. He was their offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025, a stretch where stars like Lamar Jackson and Rashod Bateman had career-best seasons. Bateman acknowledged this, urging his current teammates to keep their focus. “I think, when you’re a player, you’ve got to make the choice whether you want to make this game about Todd Monken, or do you want to make it about going to play football,” Bateman said. He’s probably right that Monken is all-in on the Browns. The Ravens (4-1-0) roll into Cleveland on a three-game win streak, but they’re without Lamar Jackson, who’s out with an ankle injury. Tyler Huntley is stepping in at quarterback to face Deshaun Watson and the Browns (3-2), who are looking to bounce back hard after a Week 5 loss to the New York Jets.
This Sunday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET in Cleveland. With a former coach looking for revenge, a backup QB taking the reins for a hot Ravens team, and the Browns desperate for a win at home, this isn’t just about football, it’s about pure, unadulterated rivalry. Get ready, because it’s going to be a battle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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