The search for the New York Jets’ next head coach and general manager will begin in earnest this week, sources told CBS Sports. The Jets plan to begin interviewing candidates for both positions this week, with the understanding that formal hiring for either position will be more than a month from now.
Those candidates for December interviews will be general manager and head coaching candidates who are not currently employed by an NFL team. Per NFL rules, the Jets cannot interview candidates for roles with NFL teams until the end of the regular season. The candidates who will be interviewed soon will likely have previously held head coaching or general manager positions, officials said.
Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start on Oct. 8, and the Jets are 1-7 since then. Johnson fired GM Joe Douglas on November 19th. But the search for his replacement didn’t begin until the Jets hired No. 33 for consulting in late November.
Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman are leading the process, which will help Jets decision makers identify, vet, and conduct preliminary interviews with candidates. Become.
NFL rules require those interviewing to complete comprehensive recruiting training. Officials say the Jets should have that completed by the beginning of the week, after which they can begin the interview process.
Johnson will be the final decision-maker, with Christopher Johnson and team president Jaimy Elhaj also expected to be part of the group that will decide who will lead the Jets into a new era.
Johnson, who has owned the team since 2000, is considered one of the most involved owners in the league. He gained more control over football operations as the season progressed, most notably by trading for Davante Adams and eventually bringing Haason Reddick back into the building.
Johnson previously served as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom during President Donald Trump’s first administration. However, the president-elect chose banker Warren Stevens for the position in his second administration, and there is a belief within the Jets that Johnson will not have a formal role alongside Trump this time around.
Johnson has not been an active member of the Jets’ search committee since 2015. It would be helpful for Johnson to get an early idea of what today’s search is like from those in charge, as he was across the pond for the recruitment of Saleh and Douglas.
Sources say the Jets are interested in acquiring a general manager who can handle an owner like Johnson. Those with previous GM experience, such as those scheduled to be interviewed starting this week, or newcomers with the right characteristics will be evaluated.
The Jets may have a problem with their jobs, but they are suffering the longest playoff drought of any major North American men’s sport, many of which are empty. There may be fewer than three GM positions open this cycle, and the number of head coaching vacancies could be closer to six than the previously thought cap of eight.
The Jets have some talented young players, and Johnson is not expected to dictate whether to keep or dump Aaron Rodgers. League officials find it hard to believe the Jets will keep Rodgers through the 2025 season, which would give the new system a fresh start at the most important position in sports. .
At least that’s how some around the league, including former Jets head coach Rex Ryan, view the job. He pitched himself last month to be interviewed for the post he once held.
“That’s the way I think about it: Make it explode? We’re going to make them explode. There’s too much talent on this team to play like we do. Oh well,” Ryan said. “And how hard can you make your players play? That’s the question. I’ve never seen a team play as hard as this team is going to play in the future, believe me, If I’m that guy, trust me.’ That’s what separates me from other players you bring in. Whoever your (Jon) Grudens are, they’re not the New York Jets. I’m all about the Jets. ”
Ryan isn’t the only former Jets coach to express interest in the job. Bill Belichick, who served as the Jets’ head coach for a day in 2000, called the Jets to gauge interest in potentially bringing him back to the team, sources confirmed to CBS Sports. It’s unclear how genuine Belichick’s call was, but his disdain for Johnson is legendary, and while it’s known that he had growing influence across the league before deciding on Chapel Hill, the Jets I was told that I have only just started exploring. That’s all for the phone call.
Coaching candidates hired by NFL teams can begin interviews two days after the end of the regular season, depending on whether the team is in the playoffs. Jets candidates include former Jets player and current Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Titans head coach and current Browns consultant Mike Vrabel, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, One example is the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. Brian Flores and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
A similar schedule applies to GM candidates. Former GMs like Dave Ziegler and John Dorsey are with the Saints and Lions, respectively. Dawn Aponte, the NFL’s head of football administration for the Chiefs, worked with both Tannenbaum and Szpilman on the Jets and Dolphins.
Spielman served as a consultant to the commander during last year’s search. Washington selected Adam Peters to serve as general manager, and Spielman will be joined by Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook and Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby. We also conducted interviews with
