The Jets are casting a wide net in their head-coaching search, and that includes interviewing a member of the Giants’ staff.
After firing Adam Gase on Sunday night, the Jets have requested an interview with Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Jets are the first known team to request an interview with the 41-year-old Graham, who is expected to be another hot name on the market for the job he did with the Giants defense.
The Giants DC and assistant head coach in 2020, Graham led a defense that experienced a resurgence under a new staff. Graham’s unit ranked 12th in total yards per game (349.3), 10th in rushing yards per game (111.4) and ninth in points per game (22.3). The defense also forced 22 total takeaways with 11 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.
Under Graham’s direction, ex-Jets DL Leonard Williams had a career-high 11.5 sacks, while big-ticket free agent CB James Bradberry became one of the better players at his position.
Graham has been around the block since playing at Yale. He joined Wagner as a graduate assistant and then had multiple stops in the collegiate ranks between Richmond, Notre Dame and Toledo.
Graham made the jump to the NFL in 2009 as a coaching assistant for the Patriots. In New England from 2009-14, Graham shuffled around from coaching the linebackers to the defensive line. Graham served as the Giants defensive line coach from 2016-17. In 2018, he became the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Packers. Finally, in his last stop before returning to the Giants, he was the Dolphins defensive coordinator in 2019.
With the Giants missing out on winning the division in Week 17, the Jets will be able to interview Graham immediately.
