FLORHAM PARK, NJ – This time the New York Jets will try something different. Instead of reinforcing one side of the ball, which they tried unsuccessfully two years ago with the appointment of the offensive Adam Gase, CEO Christopher Johnson said Monday that they will be looking for a head coach who will do the whole thing. team can galvanize.
“I do not like the term ‘CEO’ very much, but it does describe what we are looking for,” Johnson said. “We want a head coach who coaches the whole team and his staff. You do not have to be offensive, you do not have to be defensive. It is a coach for the whole team. It is very important for us to to look forward to. “
The Jets have asked permission to interview at least four candidates – offensive coordinators Eric Bieniemy (Kansas City Chiefs), Brian Daboll (Buffalo Bills) and Arthur Smith (Tennessee Titans) and defense coordinator Matt Eberflus (Indianapolis Colts), sources said. There will be several more requests in the coming days.
Johnson predicted a “broad and deep” search that could take up to several weeks. This is a departure from 2019, when they focused on attacking coaches who can take care of fullback Sam Darnold. It does not work. The Jets are 9-23 under Gase, whose offense was 32nd in both seasons. He was fired Sunday night.
Johnson tacitly admitted he did not care about the structure under Gase, which gave former defense coordinator Gregg Williams full autonomy on the side of the ball.
“We saw it in action,” Johnson said. “I do not think it is necessarily a bad way of doing things, but in our case I think we can do better.”
General Manager Joe Douglas will lead the search – another departure to the franchise. In previous searches, the Jets had hired consultants and a major hunting firm. With the appointment of Gase, Johnson took the lead. This time, he will rely on his best football manager, although Douglas, who was appointed in 2019, has never appointed a head coach.
“Joe is the GM we’ve been looking for for years,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of confidence in him. If we can get this coaching hire right, and I think we will do it, I think we can be a team that no one wants to see on their schedule until next year. And we I’ll see where we can go with that. ‘
Aside from hiring a coach, the Jets’ biggest decision involves the quarterback. Johnson gave sitting Sam Darnold confidence and said he wants Darnold in the team. But he quickly remarked that he would let Douglas and the new coach decide. Johnson once said the same about safety Jamal Adams, who trades.
“I’m a big fan of Sam,” Johnson said. “I think he’s an amazing QB. I think he has really amazing talent and drive and leadership. … I do not think the book was written about Sam. He has a very great future, and I personally hope that it This is what I told him. [Sunday] night after the game. ‘
Darnold, who struggled in his third season, could be replaced by a rookie as the Jets possess the second pick in the NFL draft in 2021. On Monday, he reiterated that he wants to complete his career with the Jets.
“I want to turn this thing around,” Darnold said. “I believe we can.”
On clearing day, several players heard the same theme: the team needs to improve its culture. At a team meeting, Johnson and Douglas stressed to the players that it is important to find a coach who can do it.