Todd Monken hits back at Mike Tomlin after first win as Browns coach: 'F— that'

Todd Monken hits back at Mike Tomlin after first win as Browns coach: 'F— that' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Few expected the Browns to leave Tampa Bay with a win over the Buccaneers, and many even believed Sunday would be Deshaun Watson's final start in a Cleveland uniform.

>The Browns instead proved all of those doubters wrong, storming back from down 16-6 to knock off the Buccaneers with the help of an impressive performance by Watson.

>After the win, coach Todd Monken's press conference indicated he heard all of the noise surrounding his team leading up to the game.

>Here's a look at what Monken said and why it appeared to be a direct response to former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

>MORE NFL WEEK 2:

Why Caleb Williams' hamstring injury may doom Bears season • >Tyler Shough's controversial TD leads Saints to Ravens upset • >How Jets blew double-digit lead to Packers • >Inside Caleb Williams' recovery timeline for hamstring • >Which Week 2 upset loss comes with most cause for concern?Todd Monken sends clear message after winAt the end of his postgame press conference on Sunday, Monken had one more message to send.

>"The Browns are gonna Browns. F— that!" Monken exclaimed, adding, "The guys took that to heart," before walking off the podium.

“The Browns are gonna Browns… F that,” - Browns HC Todd Monken drops the mic after the Browns WIN 🔥🔥🔥

*NSFW* pic.twitter.com/GtLkCMMyOC

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 20, 2026Monken was referring to comments made by Mike Tomlin, who is now serving as a studio analyst for NBC's NFL coverage. While breaking down games in Week 1, including the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Jaguars, Tomlin quoted his former wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster. "Browns is the Browns," Tomlin joked.

>Monken said that line kept his team motivated throughout the week and during the long lightning delay that extended Sunday's game more than two additional hours.

>On Sunday night, Tomlin responded to Monken's remarks.

>"I'm glad I can still motivate although I'm not coaching anymore," Tomlin said with a smile.

Mike Tomlin responds to Todd Monken 😂 pic.twitter.com/PK9qvm7Uok

— TomlinBurgh (@TomlinSteelers) September 20, 2026Here's a look at what Tomlin originally said.

>MORE:How Deshaun Watson earned himself another start for Browns

What did Mike Tomlin say about the Browns?Tomlin had little to say about the Browns' ugly Week 1 loss other than to say, "In the words of my friend JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Browns is the Browns."

Mike Tomlin: "In the words of my friend JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Browns is the Browns." 🏈💀🎙️ pic.twitter.com/5jRJYeRgG1

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 14, 2026That was enough to catch the attention of Monken, who clearly used the line as motivation ahead of a game the Browns entered as considerable underdogs.

>While Tomlin isn't coaching any longer, Monken will have a chance to take the fight directly to the Steelers on "Thursday Night Football" in two short weeks.