The New York Jets requested an interview with longtime New Orleans Saints executive Terry Fontenot, and they received it. Per a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Fontenot is scheduled to interview with the Jets on Saturday. New York’s search for a new general manager includes meetings with several front office staffers from around the league: Scott Fitterer of the Seattle Seahawks, Joe Douglas of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Champ Kelly of the Chicago Bears among them.
Fontenot has been a big part of the Saints’ success during his 16 years with the team, holding the position of pro scouting director for the last six seasons — earning the promotion shortly before Ryan Pace was hired away as general manager for the Bears.
Per his biography on the official team website, Fontenot’s responsibilities have included “recommending player acquisitions by evaluating players from all professional leagues, including the Saints roster, monitoring the waiver wire and supervising the advance scouting of upcoming opponents.”
The Saints have a talented scouting department headed by former Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, but they would still miss Fontenot’s influence if the Jets lure him away. They’re clearly not lacking for options, but this is very much a situation to monitor over the weekend.
