The Cleveland Browns suffered a frustrating setback against the New York Jets in Week 5. After opening the 2026 season with a promising 3-1 record, Todd Monken and his team entered the matchup with growing confidence. However, their latest performance exposed several problems that Cleveland must address.

The offense struggled to establish any rhythm, leaving Deshaun Watson under constant pressure. Cleveland's protection repeatedly broke down, while the passing attack failed to generate enough production to keep pace. The Browns ultimately fell 17-12, wasting an opportunity to build on their impressive start.

The defeat could easily dampen the mood inside the locker room, especially after three consecutive victories. However, Monken refused to let one disappointing afternoon erase the progress his team had made during the opening weeks.

The Browns head coach offered his players words of encouragement after the loss, admitting that the result hurt while making it clear that he still believes in the group.

"As good as it's felt the last three weeks, it doesn't feel very good right now...but, I'm not discouraged. I love our guys," Monken said.

Monken's message reflects his belief that Cleveland can recover from this setback. The Browns have already shown they can compete, but they must learn from this defeat and correct the mistakes that cost them against New York.

Todd Monken Demands Better Protection for Deshaun Watson

Monken made it clear that Cleveland cannot afford another performance like this from its offensive line. The Jets recorded eight sacks, repeatedly disrupting Watson and preventing the Browns from building any offensive momentum.

The head coach accepted that responsibility extends beyond the players, stressing that protection, play-calling and getting the ball out quickly all contributed to the problem. He also insisted the Browns must improve their running game to prevent defenses from attacking Watson so aggressively.

Cleveland now turns its attention to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Monken will hope his team responds with better protection and cleaner execution.

Written by

Joseph Nithin