In a season that has gone off the rails, the New York Jets are looking to hit the reset button. After firing head coach Robert Saleh in October and general manager Joe Douglas last week amidst a 3-8 campaign, the Jets are embarking on an organizational reboot – and they’re turning to some familiar faces to aid in the process.
Jets Bring Back Tannenbaum, Spielman as Consultants
According to sources, the Jets have enlisted the services of Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, two experienced NFL executives, to assist in their search for a new GM and head coach. Tannenbaum, who served as the Jets GM from 2006-2012, founded The 33rd Team in 2019, a media and tech company that operates as a football think tank. Spielman, the former Vikings GM, advised the Commanders in their front office and coaching searches last year.
The duo will be tasked with vetting candidates, providing reference checks, and supplying data on hiring trends to help guide Jets owner Woody Johnson and the organization in their decision-making process. While Johnson will oversee the search, Tannenbaum and Spielman can serve as experienced sounding boards throughout.
A Season Gone Awry
The Jets entered the 2024 season with high hopes after a busy offseason, but things quickly unraveled. Offensive struggles and locker room turmoil led to Saleh’s dismissal after just five games. The team showed little improvement under interim coach Bill Gionta, leading to Douglas’ ouster last week. Now facing the prospect of filling both roles, the Jets are leaning on Tannenbaum’s institutional knowledge and Spielman’s recent experience to aid their search.
The Jets are in a tough spot right now. Bringing in Tannenbaum and Spielman shows they want experienced voices to help guide them through this process and get the right people in place to turn things around.
– NFL Executive (via source)
Potential Candidates Emerge
While it’s still early in the process, several potential candidates have already been floated for the Jets’ openings:
- Rex Ryan – The former Jets coach has openly campaigned for a return, but it remains to be seen if he’ll get serious consideration.
- Todd Monken – The Buckeyes OC has drawn NFL interest and could be a fit to groom the Jets’ young QB.
- Ossenfort – The Titans’ director of player personnel is viewed as a rising star in front office circles.
- Kafka – The Giants OC has earned praise for his work with Daniel Jones and the Giants’ creative offense.
Ultimately, the final decision will rest with Woody Johnson and the Jets brass. But in bringing Tannenbaum and Spielman into the fold as advisers, they’re hoping to leverage their experience and expertise to help make the right choices and get the franchise back on track after a lost 2024 season.
Challenges Ahead
Whoever the Jets tab as their next GM and coach will have their work cut out for them. The team has holes across the roster, questions at quarterback, and the longest playoff drought in the NFL at nearly 14 years. Establishing a winning culture and building a sustainable contender will require the right mix of talent acquisition, player development, and schematic innovation.
For Jets fans, the hope is that this reboot finally yields different results after years of futility. With Tannenbaum and Spielman lending their expertise to the search process, there’s optimism that the team can find the right leaders to oversee a franchise turnaround. But in the NFL, nothing is guaranteed. The Jets’ road back to relevance is just beginning, and the first steps will be hiring a GM and coach with the vision and plan to lead them there.
