Todd Monken Fires Back at Critics: “Browns Are Browns (Expletive)”

After his first win as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Todd Monken answered critics with harsh tones at the press conference, repeating the phrase implying the team remains itself, adding that he used an inappropriate word to strengthen the message.

As NFL reports, Monken’s comments came in reaction to remarks by analyst Mike Tomlin, who had earlier cited the expression of former Steelers defender JuJu Smith-Schuster during the discussion of the Browns’ Week 1 loss to Jacksonville.

In the game, which ended 23-19 in Cleveland’s favor, the Browns overturned a 10-point second-half deficit to beat Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield. Deshaun Watson delivered a strong performance with 238 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a decisive 17-yard pass to tight end Blake Whiteheart with just under four minutes remaining. The game also suffered a weather delay of over two hours, but Cleveland held the lead until the end.

The coach’s message seems to have resonated in the locker room: Watson commented after the game that “Monk said what he said” and that this was the feeling of the entire team. Tomlin reacted more lightly, ironically saying he is glad that even as an analyst he can motivate players, even though he no longer coaches. The Browns now return to Ohio for the first home game of the 2026 season, and fans will see how they receive Watson after strong preseason reactions; according to NFL reporting, expectations and criticism of him remain evident.