This is the most important move the Jets will make this offseason.
Not general manager. Not keeping or cutting Aaron Rodgers. Nothing in free agency. Nothing in the NFL Draft.
The Jets must find the right head coach for their football team.
This is not a perfect team by any stretch. They have flaws. Their biggest issue right now, though, centers around culture. Players, such as receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback DJ Reed, have alluded to or spoken directly to it. It doesn’t matter how good things are going – it feels as if everyone is waiting for it to turn.
That environment is the result of a 14-year playoff drought, and only two winning seasons since 2011. Your right coach builds your culture. Your right coach instills that winning mentality. The right coach implements pride.
The Jets need to find the right coach. The search for him is underway. We’ll break down each candidate as we learn the full list.
Mike Vrabel (interviewed)
The Jets were the first team to interview Vrabel, the top candidate available. It’s a bit of an interesting situation because this isn’t about deciding if you want him. The Jets must convince Vrabel to take their job over other vacancies. He’ expected to have significant interest from the Bears, Saints and, potentially, Patriots.
There are ways to make this job more appealing. Money is certainly one. Vrabel, though, has plenty of that. Control, and a say in personnel, might be what separates the Jets. Involving Vrabel in New York’s search for their next GM might tilt things in their favor.
Vrabel served as the Titans’ head coach from 2018 through 2022. They made the playoffs three times and advanced to the AFC Championship in 2019. He did so despite never having elite quarterback play (Ryan Tannehill). He was Coach of the Year in 2021.
Ron Rivera (interviewed)
It’s not a prerequisite, but experience is certainly something the Jets prefer when it comes to their next head coach and general manager. It’s hard to learn on the job in New York when everything you do is overanalyzed and scrutinized.
Rivera is an NFL lifer. He played for the Bears from 1984 to 1992. He began coaching in 1997, and this year was his first one away. He most recently served as head coach for the Panthers (2011 through 2019) and Commanders (2020-2023). He had his most success with the Panthers.
Carolina made the playoffs four times and the Super Bowl once (lost to the Broncos). Rivera was the NFL’s Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
Rivera did take the Commanders to the playoffs his first year (7-9, lost to the Bucs in the first round), but his success was lackluster. Washington finished 7-10, 8-8-1 and 4-13 his next three years. Poor quarterback play and consistent organizational dysfunction (Dan Snyder) made success almost impossible.
