Monken says Tomlin remark fuelled Browns’ first win
Cleveland coach Todd Monken said criticism linked to Mike Tomlin’s “Browns is the Browns” remark motivated his players in their 23–19 win over Tampa Bay.
Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken said his players used Mike Tomlin’s criticism as motivation after recovering from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23–19 in Week 2.
Monken, celebrating his first NFL head-coaching win, said the players “took that to heart” before responding emphatically to the phrase associated with Tomlin: “Browns are gonna Browns. F--k that!”
The Browns scored 17 points in the second half, while their defence pressured former Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was sacked three times, held to 182 passing yards and intercepted once.
Deshaun Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also led Cleveland in rushing.
Tomlin said he was glad he could still motivate people despite no longer coaching. The phrase dates to 2021, when former Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said, “The Browns is the Browns”.
Monken previously faced Tomlin’s Steelers seven times as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025. Cleveland is scheduled to host Pittsburgh in Week 4, marking Monken’s first game against the Steelers as Browns coach.
