“They Wanted a Lexus” – Browns’ HC Todd Monken Throws Shade at Jets For Hiring Adam Gase Instead of Him

Todd Monken holds a grudge against the Jets for appointing Adam Gase as head coach over him in 2019.

“They Wanted a Lexus” – Browns’ HC Todd Monken Throws Shade at Jets For Hiring Adam Gase Instead of Him

Todd Monken and Adam Gase inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

The Cleveland Browns are off to a hot start under new head coach Todd Monken. The Browns are 3-1 and are sitting at the top of the AFC North. Up next, Monken leads the Browns to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets.

Monken has an old score to settle with the Jets. Back in 2019, the Jets were searching for a head coach. Monken interviewed for the job, but wasn’t selected.

The Jets appointed Adam Gase, whose only prior head coaching achievement was leading the Miami Dolphins to the playoffs in 2016.

The Jets haven’t tasted postseason football in 16 years, but even during that barren stretch, supporters agree Gase’s two-year spell was arguably the worst of the bunch.

Gase went 9-23 as the Jets head coach and was fired after the 2020 season. Monken took a shot at Gase and the Jets from the Browns facility before their trip to the Big Apple.

Don’t ever forget that you’re a Mercedes when you look in the mirror. You can’t control if they wanted a Lexus. Doesn’t matter how good of a Mercedes you are; if they want the other car, there’s nothing you can do about it.

Todd Monken said, per The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov

No NFL team has shown interest in giving Gase another shot at managing their roster. He stayed away from football for five years.

Then, the Los Angeles Chargers appointed him as passing game specialist in the offseason. The Chargers are winless this year, and Justin Herbert is arguably one of the worst quarterbacks in football.

Monken, meanwhile, joined the Browns as offensive coordinator for the 2019 season. The following year, the University of Georgia Bulldogs appointed the 60-year-old as their offensive play caller. He won two college championships.

From 2023 to 2025, he called plays for the Baltimore Ravens. During that time, Lamar Jackson earned his second MVP in 2023.

Monken left the Ravens after they fired head coach John Harbaugh. The Browns’ search for a new coach led them to appoint Monken. Harbaugh took the vacant job with the New York Giants. Later, he revealed that he tried to lure Monken to the G-Men before he moved to Cleveland.

I really thought he was coming to us, but Cleveland was there all along and he had been there before, so they knew him and he wanted this opportunity—he got it, and I’m happy for him.

Harbaugh said via NJ.com

The Browns are Monken’s first head coaching gig in the NFL. Previously, he coached the Southern Miss football team in college from 2013 to 2015. He went 13-25 and lost the 2015 Heart of Dallas Bowl game.

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Cleveland-based analyst praises Todd Monken’s connection with quarterback Deshaun Watson

Monken’s appointment wasn’t the biggest story to come out of Cleveland. As always, the quarterback battle hogged all the attention.

"They Wanted a Lexus" - Browns' HC Todd Monken Throws Shade at Jets For Hiring Adam Gase Instead of Him
Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)

Although fans urged the coaches to start second-year signal caller Shedeur Sanders, Monken made it clear he would decide the starter based on their performances at training camp.

He had to take this step because of Deshaun Watson, who hadn’t played since 2024 due to multiple Achilles tears. Watson won the QB battle despite a lackluster camp and preseason.

The Browns lost on opening day to the Jaguars, but won the next three against the Buccaneers, Panthers, and the Steelers. In four starts, Watson has completed 69.6% of his passes for 855 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

Even the Browns supporters have warmed up to the idea that Watson could lead them to the playoffs. After seeing the veteran’s performance, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo praised Monken for bringing the best out of him.“And if—I mean, if—Watson keeps improving, God, who knows where this team could go,” Rizzo said.

Watson last played the Jets in 2018 when he was still starting games for the Houston Texans. He completed 22 passes for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns. Browns lead the series 16-15 against the Jets.

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