Mike Tomlin Fires Back at Todd Monken as Browns-Steelers Rivalry Heats Up

The Browns-Steelers rivalry has taken on a media twist in the early weeks of the 2026 NFL season, with former Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin and Cleveland head coach Todd Monken trading verbal jabs across two Sunday nights.

The exchange began during Week 1 coverage on NBC’s Football Night in America, where Tomlin, now working as a studio analyst, offered a dismissive one-liner about Cleveland while breaking down the game: “Browns are gonna Brown.” The remark clearly stuck with Monken, who referenced it after the Browns notched their first win of the season, firing back with an expletive-laced retort of the same phrase.

Tomlin addressed the comments during Week 2’s Sunday night broadcast, and his response leaned into his new platform. “I love my new role, you know why? I can provide bulletin board material with no personal consequence,” he said, acknowledging the freedom that comes with criticizing opponents from the broadcast desk rather than the sideline.

Notably, Tomlin also offered some genuine praise, crediting the Browns for the improvements they made between Week 1 and Week 2, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. His remarks aired during NBC’s coverage of the Colts-Chiefs matchup, a reminder of how much reach the network’s Sunday night studio show commands in shaping NFL storylines.

The dust-up underscores the media leverage Comcast holds through NBC’s NFL rights. Comcast (CMCSA), which owns NBC and the Peacock streaming service, has seen its shares trade at $22.74, down 1.22% from the previous close of $23.02, valuing the telecom and media giant at roughly $92.53 billion. Sunday night NFL programming remains one of the company’s most visible properties, and moments like this — a former coach delivering soundbites that ripple through the league — are part of the product’s cultural pull.

For Cleveland, the attention now shifts back to the field. The Browns will look to build on their Week 2 win when they host the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.

What to watch

• The Browns’ Week 3 home matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
• Whether Tomlin continues his analyst role on NBC’s Sunday night coverage and whether further comments from either side emerge.
• Comcast’s upcoming earnings report, which will cover NBC broadcast and Peacock performance, including NFL viewership trends.

Source: original release