The search for the New York Jets’ next head coach and general manager has officially begun, and the team is looking to take advantage of the timing.
Sources told CBS Sports that the Jets are looking to take advantage of the team’s head start on the search following the firings of Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas to hire at least a general manager position before the end of the regular season. The company hopes to interview candidates for the position.
Officials expect an intense search for the Jets, who are looking to hire at both positions at the same time for the first time since 2015. Team owner Woody Johnson will lead the search ahead of what many expect to be re-elected by the Trump administration. I entrust day-to-day management to my younger brother Christopher.
It’s unclear whether the Jets will hire a general manager first and then a head coach, as is customary. Early indications are that both searches run parallel to each other, at least at the start.
While the Jets are unlikely to hire a traditional search firm, it is believed the team will use an advisor (or advisors) with a sports executive background. The Jets have used this model for years past, and it was popular across the league. For example, the Commanders hired former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers last year, working with former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, before hiring Adam Peters as GM.
The Jets cannot interview candidates currently employed by other clubs until the end of the regular season. This applies not only to coaches and executives, but also to candidates who are employed as consultants. That means someone like former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel won’t be allowed to interview with the Jets until after the Cleveland Browns’ season, but someone like Jon Gruden won’t be allowed to interview with the Jets until after the Cleveland Browns season ends. Until then, you can visit One Jets Drive and sit in for an interview.
One of the reasons for conducting interviews during the season is to get a head start on the search. Another reason is that the search group led by Johnson has begun to acquire personnel. Johnson previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom and has not been part of the Jets’ search for a head coach or general manager for the last 10 years, when they hired Todd Bowles and Mike McCanyan in 2015.
An early check of the weather at Forum Park indicates the Jets may be leaning toward an experienced coach and GM for the role. The Jets will want to minimize risk with their next player while pursuing the best path to success. A proven veteran leader may be more of a novice leader than a forecaster. Of course, it’s still early in the process.
There’s some outside argument that the Jets are establishing a position akin to a football czar, someone who acts as a buffer between ownership and football operations. For example, Chris Spielman played that role in Detroit. While that may be a solid idea, sources poured cold water on it. Sources said Mr Johnson “wants it to happen and we need to respect that”.
Before interviews occur, members of the Jets organization participating in the search process must undergo league-mandated diversity hiring training. Once completed, the Jets will be able to interview people who are not on the team. GMs who are not currently employed have more options than head coaches. Bill Belichick won’t be interviewing with the Jets.
GM interviews for candidates currently employed elsewhere can begin in-person as soon as the regular season ends. Interviews with coaches hired by other teams could begin in about three days and will be done virtually. In-person interviews with coaches hired by other teams will not begin until after the divisional round of the playoffs. Because of this restriction, the Jets will apparently not hire a new head coach until January 20th.
How attractive are these jobs? It depends on who you ask. Everyone always says there are only 32 of these jobs. There could be 7-8 head coach positions and 2-5 GM positions open this cycle.
Sources believe the Jets have a good salary and a chance to attract top young talent to build a team in his image. And there’s also a chance to get a new quarterback.
The Jets have not committed to Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season, and any decision will be mutual with the new system. But it would be incredible for Rodgers to return for his age-41 season. The overwhelming belief around the league is that the Jets will designate Rodgers next offseason for release after June 1st.
“I can’t imagine any GM or coach addressing this issue,” said one rival executive.
There are also ownership issues. The Athletic reported This week, Johnson questioned whether Rodgers should have been benched at the beginning of the season, and sources say he has pondered the question publicly at other times this season.
If Johnson’s tendency to meddle in football business is a concern for candidates, a potential return to England could be a boon for job seekers. Johnson will be kept in the loop on key developments, but the Atlantic Ocean could separate him from the football community for the next four seasons.
