Carson Beck, the former Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes quarterback wrapping up a long six-season college career, was at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis when he was asked about the Cleveland Browns.
Beck said he would be “super stoked” to play for Todd Monken, the first-year Cleveland Browns head coach who previously served as his offensive coordinator at Georgia. Their shared history began long before football.
Cleveland held a formal meeting with Beck at the combine, and his comments there made his preference clear. NFL draft reporter JPA shared the remarks on X.
University of Miami's Carson Beck talks at Media Day during the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
University of Miami’s Carson Beck talks at Media Day during the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Beck’s Connection With Todd Monken Began Long Before Athens
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Miami QB Carson Beck says he would be “super stoked” to be drafted by the Browns and reunite with Todd Monken, his former OC at Georgia.
“He’s an amazing coach. I had the opportunity to talk with him a little bit the other day when I was done with all my… pic.twitter.com/UHNjH7x5Vi
— JPA (@jasrifootball) February 28, 2026
Beck told reporters Friday that the two go back to when he was seven or eight years old. At the time, Monken was the wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Beck played baseball with Monken’s son. By the time they met in Athens, Monken was not a stranger to Beck. Three seasons at Georgia simply deepened a relationship that had already existed for years.
Speaking at the combine, Beck told reporters.
“I love him personally. I’ve actually known him since I was 7 or 8 years old. I played baseball with his son whenever he was the wide receivers coach with the Jags… He’s an amazing coach. I had the opportunity to talk with him a little bit the other day when I was done with all my interviews. We walked and chatted for a little bit. I love Coach Monk. He’s an awesome coach and great guy.”
When asked about the Browns specifically:
“Any team that’s going to draft me, I’m super grateful for the opportunity, but if coach Monken were to be my coach again, obviously I really enjoyed him being my coach at the University of Georgia, and what I was able learn from him there. So, I’d be super stoked.”
Monken Has Not Named a Starter, and Cleveland’s QB Room Remains Unsettled
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New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken, center, poses with members of the ownership group, from left, Jimmy Haslam, JW Johnson and Whitney Haslam-Johnson during Monken’s introductory press conference at the team’s training facility, Feb. 3, 2026.
Cleveland’s roster entering 2026 includes second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders, veteran Deshaun Watson, and 2025 draft selection Dillon Gabriel.
Monken replaced former head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was fired after the Browns finished 5-12 last season.
Addressing the quarterback competition at the combine, Monken told reporters:
“I don’t know why it wouldn’t be an open competition, and I don’t mean that harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years, one way or the other, to say, ‘Boy, we have a starter at quarterback’ yet, whether internally or externally.”
At Miami in 2025, Beck threw for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns, completing 72.4 percent of his passes as the Hurricanes reached the national championship game before losing to Indiana.
Cleveland’s actual decision on Beck depends on what the team does at quarterback through free agency and trades before April.