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

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.

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Todd Monken sends clear message after win

At 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.

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 20, 2026

Monken 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, 2026

Here'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, 2026

That 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.