Todd Monken has jokes before facing T.J. Watt: 'I think it's about time he retires'

Posted by Admin September 29, 2026 NFL

The Cleveland Browns will play a rivalry game this week, taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Thursday Night Football.”

During his media session on Tuesday, Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about his team’s matchup against T.J. Watt, one of the figureheads of the Steelers’ stout defense.

Monken’s response was said directly but carried a mix of humor and respect for his upcoming opponents.

“I think it’s about time that he [Watt] retires. And Heyward and all those guys. Credit to those guys, how long they’ve done it, at the level they’ve done it.

It has been tough to go against them. Those elite players are hard, are challenging, those guys along with the other guys they have in their front seven, and the back.

Credit to him [Watt], he’s doing it like I’ve always seen him do it.”

The Cleveland head coach has been in the AFC North for five of the last eight seasons, coaching in some capacity against Watt, either as offensive coordinator for the Ravens or, this season, as the Browns’ head coach.

Watt has played 15 games against the Browns in his career. He has tallied 17.5 sacks, 49 total tackles, 1 interception, and 1 scoop-and-score in that span.

Watt has already accumulated 3.5 sacks through three games this season, the fourth-most in the NFL.

Thursday night’s rivalry game comes as both the Browns and Steelers are 2-1 through three games.

Cleveland dropped its season opener, but then bounced back with wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. Pittsburgh sandwiched wins over the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals around a disappointing 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 2.