Browns HC fires back at former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin over brutal comments

“The “Browns is the Browns” comments made by former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin have drawn a response from Cleveland’s new head coach, Todd Monken, who fired back at the comments.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Monken dismissed the “Browns is the Browns” narrative that’s been resurfacing thanks to Tomlin’s mockery of Cleveland on NBC’s Football Night in America.

“Again, everybody’s afforded their opinions. That’s what you do when you go from coaching to television,” Monken said. “… I don’t see it that way. ‘Browns being Browns.’ I don’t see it that way. Every week is different. Every team is different. We just didn’t play well. That’s just one week. That’s not ‘Browns being Browns.’ That’s Browns playing poorly for one week.”

#Browns HC Todd Monken on Mike Tomlin saying “Browns is the Browns” on NBC:

“Everybody’s afforded their opinions. That’s what you do when you go from coaching to television. … It’s one week. That’s not Browns being Browns; that’s Browns playing poorly for one week.” https://t.co/F7meVJ1r0npic.twitter.com/xu5vEhNMxr

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2026

Monken reiterated that although Tomlin is entitled to his opinion, the only way to change the narrative surrounding Cleveland is to simply play better.

Playing better isn’t exactly what the Browns are known for, but it’s admirable that the new head coach isn’t backing down from critics. Talk is cheap, however, and it remains to be seen if Monken will remain as defiant when Cleveland faces off against the Steelers this season.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Browns HC fires back at former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin over brutal comments