The Jets fired Mike Maccagnan and Brian Heimerdinger on Wednesday morning, naming Adam Gase the interim general manager in the process.
Acting CEO Christopher Johnson made it known that Gase will not have control of the 53-man roster; that will be in the hands of the next GM.
Many around the NFL expect Philadelphia Eagles VP of Player Personnel Joe Douglas will be New York’s next man in charge, but he’s not the only option out there. Let’s take a look at four possible candidates to replace Maccagnan.
Joe Douglas, Eagles VP of Player Personnel
Joe Douglas has emerged as the obvious favorite due to his extended history with Adam Gase. Gase is assisting in the GM search and the Jets will probably bring in someone that he has familiarity with.
Douglas and Gase were with each other in Chicago when Gase was the offensive coordinator and Douglas the director of college scouting.
Douglas played an integral role in helping construct the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII-winning roster and is credited with doing a lot with little draft capital, something Mike Maccganan struggled with. Douglas also spent the better part of 16 seasons in the Baltimore Ravens’ personnel department prior.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
With former NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock being hired as the general manager of the Oakland Raiders not too long ago, there is potential for his former colleague, Daniel Jeremiah, to become the Jets’ next GM.
Jeremiah is a longtime draft analyst on NFL Network, being viewed as one of the best evaluators in the business. Before turning to the media side of thing, he was a college scout for the Ravens, Browns and Eagles.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jeremiah is under serious consideration for a prominent Jets front office position. It’s worth noting that he is close with Douglas, as the two worked together in Baltimore.
Champ Kelly, Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel
Champ Kelly is another name that Adam Gase has ties to.
Kelly and Gase were together in Chicago and Denver. Now in Chicago, Kelly is in his second season as Assistant Director of Player Personnel after spending two seasons as the Bears Director of Pro Scouting.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport first mentioned Kelly as a possibility due to his track record with Gase at two different stops.
Lance Newmark, Lions Director of Player Personnel
Lance Newmark was also mentioned as a possibility by Rapoport on Wednesday.
Newmark has spent 21 of his 23 years in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in the personnel department. He was elevated to his current position in 2017.
Gase began his NFL career in Detroit as a scouting assistant in 2003. He was an offensive assistant from 2005-06 and then became the Lions quarterbacks coach in 2007.
