Todd Monken Responds to Mike Tomlin: It's Not Browns Being Browns, It's Browns Playing Poorly for One Week

When Former Players Speak: A Clash of Perspectives

I remember walking into the NBC Sports pregame studio that night, eager to catch up with some of my former players who had moved on to new roles. Mike Tomlin, now a television analyst for NBC, was sitting in his usual spot, his voice crackling through the speakers like it always did during our time together. But what he said next caught me off guard.

"This is just how the Browns are," he said with a shrug, referencing the devastating 34-10 loss to Jacksonville. "It's not about talent; it's about identity."

That's when I knew something had to be said. Not because I disagreed with Mike's sentiment—because we've both seen enough football to know that some teams have a certain character and way of playing that can define their legacy.

The Heart of the Matter: A Week, Not a Season

As the new offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, I had a different perspective. While we all know this team has faced challenges in recent years, calling them out as inherently flawed or unchangeable feels like throwing in the towel too early.

• Yes, last week's performance was disappointing.
• But that doesn't make it representative of the entire season.
• We're talking about one week, not a whole franchise narrative.

It's easy to fall into the trap of defining a team by its lowest point, especially when fans are emotionally invested. But let me be clear: we don't play with our heads down; we play with our hearts and focus on progress, not just past failures.

The Power of Perspective

Mike Tomlin is someone who knows the game inside out. His time as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers gave him a deep understanding of what makes teams tick—both in victory and defeat. But sometimes, even great coaches can get lost in narrative fatigue. And narratives can be tricky.

When I saw his comment, it reminded me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place: there's always room for growth, redemption, and second chances. The Browns aren't defined by a single loss—they're shaped by how they respond to adversity.

The Real Issue Behind the Loss

Looking back at that game, I believe we had some fundamental breakdowns on both sides of the ball. There were missed opportunities in the red zone and poor execution from key players who've shown time and again that they're capable of better performance.

That said, there's no denying the importance of mental toughness. A team must be able to bounce back from setbacks, and while our defense may have been outplayed, the offense should have found ways to keep the game close. That's where we need improvement—both in execution and mindset.

What This Means for the Browns

I don't think anyone on this roster wants to be defined by a bad week. We're not the Browns who just give up when things go wrong. That's not who we are, and that's certainly not how we plan to move forward.

Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, we're going to take it as a wake-up call—a moment to reset and refocus our energy. The Browns are a young team with a lot of potential, and I believe the best is yet to come.

A New Era Begins

As we continue to build under this new coaching staff and look toward next season, it's crucial that we don't lose sight of what makes us special. We're not just another franchise with a long history—it's about the culture we're creating and the legacy we're building.

We've already started showing glimpses of that change. Players like Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb have demonstrated their worth, and we're working to get everyone else on board with the same vision. If you ask me, this is a team in transition—but a transition filled with hope.

Final Thoughts

I appreciate Mike's perspective, but I also think he overlooked something essential: the fact that football isn't just about one game or one moment. It's about resilience, evolution, and belief in yourself even when others doubt you.

And honestly? That's exactly what this Browns team has been trying to prove since Day One. So yes, we're not perfect—and no, we haven't won yet—but there's something beautiful about a team that refuses to stay stagnant, even after a rough patch.

We're the Browns, and we've got more stories left to tell.