4 Browns Players Get Called Out For Lack Of Discipline

As soon as Todd Monken was hired as head coach of the Cleveland Browns this offseason, he made it very clear that he was going to bring a level of accountability to the team that may have been lacking. That showed up immediately during early minicamps when he would pull players out of drills for committing a penalty.

Unfortunately, that tough-love approach did not take hold, as through nine weeks, the Browns are the most penalized team in the NFL. The linemen are the main culprits, with illegal motion, offsides, and holding calls setting them back multiple times a game.

That is why analyst Aaron Goldhammer is calling out four Browns players for a costly lack of discipline, naming offensive linemen Tytus Howard and Zion Johnson, and defensive linemen Sam Williams and Jared Verse.

“Tytus Howard leads the league with 8 penalties. Zion Johnson has 7 (6 holds!!!!). Sam Williams has 6 and is a part-time player. Jared Verse has 5 and ZERO SACKS. It’s absurd. Dudes need to get benched or something. Monken can’t continue to permit it,” Goldhammer posted.

Titus Howard leads the league with 8 penalties
Zion Johnson has 7 (6 holds!!!!)
Sam Williams has 6 and is a part time player
Jared Verse has 5 and ZERO SACKS

It's absurd. Dudes need to get benched or something. Monken can't continue to permit it.

— Aaron Goldhammer (@HammerNation19) November 9, 2026

Howard would have the most costly penalty of the season if it had not been declined. On Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, the Browns attempted a potential game-winning two-point conversion with 1:00 left in overtime. Shedeur Sanders’ pass was incomplete, but it would not have counted anyway, as Howard was called for holding.

Johnson has seven false-start penalties, including one against the Saints, and one for illegal man downfield. In addition to Johnson’s holding calls, he has two false starts and one illegal use of hands.

Williams’ penalties have been particularly costly, with a face mask, roughing the passer, and taunting to go along with two neutral zone infractions (one on Sunday) and one illegal use of hands. All of Verse’s five accepted penalties are line-of-scrimmage calls, including a neutral zone infraction on Sunday.

According to NFLPenalties.com, the Browns have committed 82 penalties, which is eight more than any other team in the league. That includes 41 on offense, 27 on defense, and 14 on special teams, for a total of 563 yards marked off.

Based on the emphasis Monken put on that area, it is a high number indeed, and Goldhammer has a point that someone should pay the price for it at some point.