Insider Says Browns Veteran’s Starting Job Could Be In Danger

From his very first minicamp as an NFL head coach, Todd Monken showed he has no patience for mistakes, especially on offense. Now, entering Week 4 of the Cleveland Browns’ season, Monken might be too lenient in letting things slide.

Veteran right tackle Tytus Howard has five false start penalties this season, which has to be driving Monken crazy, based on his obsession with the pre-snap operation. The coach showed he was more than willing to pull players from practice drills when they committed a penalty, but now that the games have started, Howard remains in the lineup.

With that in mind, insider Tony Grossi said the veteran’s starting job could be in danger if he doesn’t correct the issue.

“At some point, you have to make a personnel change if it continues. I think that’s how you fix it, you hold people accountable. That’s one of the tests of Monken’s accountability, will he do that with a veteran player who they dove out some cash to, namely Tytus Howard. He kind of hinted you could have one false start, but you do it again, that’s not acceptable. Well, he did it again, and again Sunday, at home, which is unheard of. I don’t think Tytus Howard is in danger of getting demoted, but if it persists, he should be,” Grossi said.

"At some point you have to make a personnel change if it continues, think that's how you fix it, you hold people accountable," – @TonyGrossi on how to fix the Browns presnap penalties. pic.twitter.com/DeWJeRyONS

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 29, 2026

Penalties in general have been a problem for the Browns, who rank second in the NFL with 29, behind only the Green Bay Packers, who have 32. The majority of Cleveland’s infractions have been on offense, with two delays of game and five holds as part of the total.

With a surprising 2-1 record, Monken said he believes the Browns could be even better once they clean this up. With their offense, particularly the running game, struggling for a good part of the first three weeks, the yardage given up to these infractions becomes even more costly.

With the Browns having to replace all five of their starting offensive linemen this offseason, Howard was the first piece added in a trade with the Houston Texans. He had worked with offensive line coach George Warhop for one season with Houston, so he was likely brought in to help him implement his system in Cleveland.

These penalties are not setting a good example at all, especially with two rookie starters in right guard Austin Barber and left tackle Spencer Fano. Veteran left guard Zion Johnson and center Elgton Jenkins make up the rest of the line, which has combined to commit just four other penalties.

Howard will be put to a serious test facing off against T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, and he could wind up being replaced during the game if the mistakes continue.