Todd Monken didn’t get the Jets job in 2019, and one line from that interview has apparently stayed with him ever since.
Now the first-year head coach in Cleveland is giving the Browns new energy and getting strong production out of quarterback Deshaun Watson, but the path to this moment included a long wait. The Jets brought Monken in for their head-coaching opening, then went with Adam Gase instead - a choice that didn’t age well and one that may have helped Monken keep his perspective.
During that interview process, a Jets voice left him with a comparison he has not forgotten.
“Don’t ever forget that you’re a Mercedes when you look in the mirror. You can’t control if they wanted a Lexus,” he recalled, per The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov. “Doesn't matter how good of a Mercedes you are, if they want the other car, there's nothing you can do about it.”
Monken, who is now 60, said he has carried that lesson with him and remains thankful for the experiences that came before landing in Cleveland. There doesn’t appear to be any bitterness toward the Jets on his side, even if the fan base might see things differently.
The contrast with Gase is hard to ignore. Gase, who previously guided the Miami Dolphins to the playoffs in 2016, went 9-23 with the Jets and never got Sam Darnold on track before Darnold eventually became a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Monken may still be early in his Browns tenure, but he has already made Jets fans wonder what might have been.
#Browns HC Todd Monken recalls what he was told after interviewing for the #Jets’ HC job in 2019, when they ultimately hired Adam Gase.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 9, 2026
“Don’t ever forget that you’re a Mercedes when you look in the mirror. You can’t control if they wanted a Lexus.” pic.twitter.com/l7Fsqx1qYS
And now he’s about to bring that reminder to MetLife Stadium. Cleveland visits the Jets on Sunday afternoon, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
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The bigger late twist centers on Will McDonald, who was limited on Friday and remains a game-time decision. With several players already unavailable and a few other statuses still being monitored closer to kickoff, the Jets are once again waiting until the last possible moment to see how much of their pass-rush plan will be intact against a Browns team dealing with its own injury issues. [Read more 🡒]
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Williams has made it clear the matchup carries extra meaning for him, too. The Jets did not bring him back, and he has embraced the chance to make them pay for it when the teams line up in Week 5. It adds a little more heat to a game that already has enough of it, and it puts one more former Jet in the spotlight with something to prove. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Win Still Left Fans Debating Geno Smith And Garrett Wilson
The Jets finally got back in the win column in Week 5, snapping a three-game losing streak and offering a reminder of how much talent still sits on the roster. Garrett Wilson was the most reliable piece on offense, finishing with seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, while the defense had enough impact plays to carry the day despite a rough overall showing.
Even with the victory, the conversation afterward kept circling back to Geno Smith and Wilson, a familiar split between optimism and unease. The Jets piled up 10 penalties for 102 yards, which made the margin feel a lot thinner than a win should, and Smiths uneven afternoon left the team searching for a cleaner answer at quarterback even after a productive day from its top receiver. [Read more 🡒]