Todd Monken Fires Back at Mike Tomlin: 'Browns Being Browns' Is a Myth

As the NFL season charges into Week 3, the Cleveland Browns find themselves under the microscope after a humbling 34-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it wasn't just the score that drew attention—it was a pointed remark from NBC analyst Mike Tomlin, the former Steelers head coach, who resurrected a familiar refrain during Sunday night's pregame show. Quoting his former player JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tomlin said, 'The Browns is the Browns.' The phrase, infamous since 2020, implies a perpetual cycle of dysfunction in Cleveland. However, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken isn't buying it. In his Monday video conference, Monken pushed back, insisting that one poor performance doesn't define a team. 'I don't see it that way, Browns being Browns,' Monken said. 'That's not Browns being Browns, that's Browns being poorly on one week.'

Monken's Message: Accountability Over Labels

Monken, who took over the reins in Cleveland this offseason, acknowledged the sting of the loss but emphasized that perceptions can only be changed through action. 'Everybody's afforded their opinion,' he said. 'The only way to change people's opinion is to play better.' According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Monken's response reflects a broader cultural shift he's trying to instill—one that rejects the fatalistic narrative that has haunted the franchise. Since 2020, the Browns have posted just one winning season, and even that ended in a disappointing playoff exit. But Monken is adamant that this year's squad is different, and that Week 2's flop was an aberration, not an identity.

The Weight of History

Tomlin's comment, while seemingly offhand, carries weight because it taps into a deep-seated frustration among Browns fans. The phrase 'Browns being Browns' has become shorthand for the team's knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Yet, as Monken noted, every week is a new opportunity. 'We have to own that we didn't play very well,' he said. 'But that's one week.' The coach's defiance is admirable, but it won't silence critics until the Browns string together consistent wins. As highlighted on Vulius, the team's upcoming matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday presents a critical test. If Cleveland falters again, the murmurs will only grow louder.

Quarterback Questions Loom Large

At the heart of the Browns' struggles is quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose performance has been underwhelming. Against Jacksonville, Watson completed just 55% of his passes for 178 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions—a stat line that won't quiet doubters. Monken has publicly backed Watson, but the pressure is mounting. 'We have to coach better, and we have to play better,' Monken admitted. For Watson, that means protecting the ball and making smarter decisions. If he can't elevate his play, the Browns' offense will continue to sputter, and Monken's rebuttal to Tomlin will ring hollow.

What's Next for Cleveland?

The Browns return to the practice field this week with a chip on their shoulder. Veterans like Myles Garrett and Joel Bitonio will need to lead by example, while young playmakers must step up. Monken's message is clear: the only way to bury the 'Browns being Browns' narrative is to win. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk sees it, Sunday's game in Tampa is more than just a Week 3 matchup—it's a chance for Cleveland to prove that they are not the same old Browns. The football world will be watching.