One week into the Cleveland Browns' 2026 season, it was apparent we would get the usual run-of-the-mill Browns. After a listless, blowout loss at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars, what other reasonable conclusion could possibly be reached, given the extensive evidence we have of the Browns being the Browns?
Heck, even NBC's Mike Tomlin (who, you know, dominated Cleveland for almost two decades as the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach) made light of the Browns seemingly not changing for the better. In the ensuing week, Browns head coach Todd Monken claimed the comments from a prominent and extremely visible figure in the pro football world didn't bother him all that much. Sure, man.
After the Browns toppled the favored Tampa Bay Buccaneers in
Week 2, Monken showed that Tomlin's comments, uh, let's just say, clearly resonated with him as a coach and motivator.
(Warning: NSFW language below)
Todd Monken: Browns are gonna Browns. F— that! pic.twitter.com/loDcRzzF9T
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 20, 2026
Look, are the Browns probably still the Browns? Let's be honest: Probably! One solitary win over what looks like a mediocre Buccaneers squad won't change the general perception of one of the NFL's biggest laughingstocks this millennium.
Still, good for Monken! He just earned his first-ever win as an NFL head coach, Cleveland or not. And he did it through adversity and a moment when his team was being mocked by everyone. At least for one week, that's gotta feel really good to get one over on everyone else who was rooting for/reveling in your failure.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: A fiery Todd Monken ripped Mike Tomlin’s Browns joke after their Week 2 win
