To say another Cleveland Browns season already seems like a burgeoning debacle would probably be an understatement.
After getting pantsed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, head coach Todd Monken stood in Deshaun Watson's corner despite yet another terrible performance from the quarterback. It's a baffling decision that will earn Monken no favors in whatever's left of the Browns fanbase. Now, after former legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin mocked the Browns on NBC, Monken had a chance to defend his players and his franchise.
He ... kind of did that? In a weird deflection?
When asked about Tomlin's joke, Monken claimed that everyone is entitled to their opinions, and that Tomlin's joke is mainly a result of him going from coaching
to television (i.e., creating soundbites). For Monken, the "Browns weren't being Browns," so to speak. They lost a single game to start 2026 and have an opportunity to pick themselves up off the mat in Week 2. Uh, sure, man. Whatever you say:
#Browns HC Todd Monken on Mike Tomlin saying “Browns is the Browns” on NBC:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2026
“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/F7meVJ1r0n pic.twitter.com/xu5vEhNMxr
On top of what has been a dreadful early 21st century for pro football in Cleveland, the Browns are a whopping 8-27 in their last 35 games. They also have the NFL's worst quarterback situation and have shown little to no hope that this time, their latest rebuild will actually be different. More than anyone else in the NFL, they have not earned the benefit of the doubt.
Tomlin's joke was undoubtedly borne of an ex-Steelers coach piling on an AFC North competitor with glee. But in the grand scheme of things, he still wasn't wrong. What's funny is that it sure seems like Monken might agree with these sentiments. At least, based on his weak defense against the joke.
What was Mike Tomlin's record against the Browns as Steelers coach?
Tomlin was 28-9-1 against the Browns during his coaching career with the Steelers. That's over a 19-year period, dearest readers. I'd say he knows what he's talking about.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Todd Monken only kind of defended the Browns from Mike Tomlin's joke
