Who should be the Jets next GM/HC?
Ranking my favorite candidates to become Jets GM/HC
Woody Johnson and the Jets face a critical decision ahead.
They must make game-changing hires and identify the right leaders capable of guiding the team out of a 14-year playoff drought.
They are clearly leaving no stone unturned, issuing numerous interview requests in their search.
I’m impressed with their approach so far and like many of the candidates they’re interviewing. With former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman leading the search, it’s reassuring to see experienced hands at the helm—much better than leaving it solely to Woody and the Johnsons.
Pairing a general manager and head coach who have prior experience working together or a strong existing connection is a logical approach. The Jets have interviewed several candidates who meet this criteria.
Some combos the Jets could hire: GM Jon Robinson/HC Mike Vrabel, GM Ryan Grigson/HC Brian Flores, GM Mike Borgnozi/HC Matt Nagy.
Ideally, I’d prefer an offensive-minded coach, but the priority is finding a strong leader. So far, the list of offensive candidates doesn’t seem particularly compelling.
With that let’s get to my list of preferred GM/HC candidates.
HEAD COACH RANKINGS:
Mike Vrabel- The Jets seem to favor hiring a head coach with experience, and for me, Mike Vrabel stands out as the best option. Vrabel consistently got the most out of his Titans teams, which were rarely loaded with talent but always competitive. Over six seasons, he posted a 54-45 record and went 2-3 in the playoffs. For Vrabel, finding the right offensive coordinator would be crucial to his success.
Vrabel previously worked with Jon Robinson in Tennessee, and if they have a strong relationship, pairing them together would make a lot of sense. However, the biggest competition for Vrabel’s services is likely the New England Patriots. It’s reasonable to assume Vrabel might prefer New England over the Jets, but the Patriots have also interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, one of the hottest coaching candidates this offseason.
Brian Flores- Having Brian Flores ranked this high might surprise some, but I’m a big fan of the potential combination of Flores as head coach, Ryan Grigson as general manager, and Josh McCown as offensive coordinator. Flores is one of the NFL's top defensive minds, recently transforming the Vikings into one of the league's best defenses. He also has head coaching experience with the Miami Dolphins, with a 24-25 record over three seasons despite working with a team seemingly designed to tank.
While some may point to his strained relationship with Tua Tagovailoa as a concern, I see it differently. In fact, I felt Robert Saleh was too buddy-buddy with his players. These are professional athletes, not kids in peewee football—the coach doesn’t need to be their friend, and frankly, shouldn’t be. Flores brings a tough, no-nonsense approach that might be exactly the wake-up call the Jets need.
Aaron Glenn- I believe Aaron Glenn is the most likely candidate to become the Jets’ next head coach. While I’m a fan of his, I’m not completely sold. Glenn has overseen a Detroit Lions defense that hasn’t always been a strength and is widely considered the weak point of their team. The Lions have been primarily an offense-driven squad throughout his tenure.
That said, Glenn is a strong leader and a solid defensive coach, though hiring him wouldn’t feel like a game-changing move. One major positive is his experience during the Lions’ transformation from a perennial laughingstock to a legitimate contender—exactly the kind of turnaround the Jets are looking to achieve.
The biggest question for Glenn would be his choice of offensive coordinator, as that hire would be critical to his success. It’s also worth noting Glenn’s history with the Jets, having played for the team from 1994 to 2001. According to Rich Cimini, Glenn has expressed “very strong interest” in the Jets job. If the Jets want him, he’s likely theirs for the taking.
Matt Nagy- This wouldn’t feel like the most inspired hire, but Matt Nagy’s coaching track record is better than it might seem at first glance. He posted a 34-31 record over four seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bears, including a 12-4 campaign in his first year, with only one losing season overall. Nagy could potentially be paired with an impressive GM candidate like Mike Borgonzi, and he’d also be one of the few offensive-minded candidates the Jets are interviewing.
However, there are some concerns. During Nagy’s tenure, the Bears never had a truly great offense, and he struggled to develop Mitchell Trubisky, which raises questions about his ability to maximize quarterback potential—a critical need for the Jets.
Rex Ryan-I love Rex Ryan, but I’d seriously question the Jets’ leadership if they chose him as their head coach. That said, I wouldn’t be entirely upset. The truth is, the Jets’ only real success in the past 15 years came during Rex’s tenure as head coach.
The concerns are obvious, though. He’s been out of the NFL for nearly a decade and ultimately finished his head coaching career with more losses than wins. On top of that, he never managed to build a consistently strong offensive team. While it would be entertaining to have Rex back in the spotlight, it’s hard to argue that this would be the best move for the organization’s future.
GENERAL MANAGER RANKINGS:
Mike Borgnozi- With 16 seasons in the Chiefs organization, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top franchises, Mike Borgonzi has proven himself as a key figure. He’s been serving as assistant GM since 2021. The Chiefs’ success goes far beyond just Patrick Mahomes—they’re one of the best-run teams in the league, particularly when it comes to the NFL Draft.
I’d be thrilled with the Jets hiring Borgonzi. He could be paired with Matt Nagy or even Steve Spagnuolo, creating a strong leadership combination.
Mike Greenberg- With 15 years in the Buccaneers organization, including the last two as assistant GM, Greenberg has played a key role in their recent success. He previously worked as an intern with Mike Tannenbaum at the Jets and is a Long Island native. A Cornell graduate, he certainly has the intellect for the job.
Greenberg’s expertise lies in salary cap management and contracts, areas where he’s been instrumental in the Bucs' success. However, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious head coach candidate to pair him with.
Jon Robinson- As Titans GM from 2016 to 2022, Jon Robinson posted a 66-43 record and led the team to four playoff appearances. His track record speaks for itself. He could be paired with Mike Vrabel, with whom he had a successful run in Tennessee.
Robinson was one of the first GM candidates to be interviewed, reflecting his strong candidacy.
Ryan Grigson- With a 49-31 record over five seasons as GM of the Colts, Ryan Grigson made a significant impact, including drafting Andrew Luck. However, his later drafts were less successful, and the infamous Trent Richardson trade was a major misstep. Now serving as the Vikings' VP of player personnel, he’s been part of some great offseason additions.
The biggest plus for me is how well Grigson would pair with Brian Flores as head coach and Josh McCown as offensive coordinator, creating a strong, seamless leadership team.
Alec Halaby- I’ll admit, I don’t know much about Halaby beyond his time in the Eagles’ front office, which is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent in the NFL. He’s heavily focused on analytics and has been involved in data-driven roles since joining the Eagles as an intern.
Halaby is also a Harvard graduate, so he clearly has the intellect for the job.
However, one drawback is that he lacks a scouting background, and there doesn’t seem to be an obvious head coaching candidate to pair with him.
It will be fascinating to see whether the Jets hire a GM or a head coach first, as that decision could hint at who the next hire will be. The best possible pairings in my mind are Mike Vrabel with Jon Robinson or Brian Flores with Ryan Grigson and Josh McCown.
If the Jets opt for a GM like Borgonzi, Greenberg, or Halaby, it could signal a different direction for the head coach hire.
Ultimately, the head coaching decision is the most crucial for me, and I believe either Vrabel or Flores would be the best fit. Both bring proven experience, past success, and the no-nonsense approach the Jets desperately need.
That said, my prediction is that Aaron Glenn will ultimately land the job.
AD: For people interested in Crypto or Investing / Finance. We strive for very engaged readers who are looking to learn or increase their knowledge of Crypto / Web 3. Subscribe to The Crypto Nutshell: https://sparklp.co/p/7a067246f8