[ad_1]
On Wednesday, the Jets and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur decided to part ways after a 7-10 season in which the offense failed to show much improvement from 2021.
Now the Jets will need to find a new coordinator to oversee a unit with a lot of talent and promise, but also one that could be looking for a new starting quarterback. Zach Wilson, who the Jets selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has failed to live up to expectations as he has thrown for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in two seasons while completing 55.2% of his passes.
Whoever is hired as the Jets offensive coordinator must show stark improvement immediately. Gang Green has not made the playoffs since 2010 and it was 7-4 entering December before losing six consecutive to end the year.
Here are some potential candidates who the Jets could hire this offseason.
JAGUARS QB COACH MIKE MCCOY
Let’s face it, the Jets need to bring in an experienced guy as their offensive coordinator. LaFleur had zero previous coordinator experience in the NFL before the Jets hired him. So why not bring in a guy who has been an NFL head coach?
McCoy was the former head coach of the Chargers from 2013-16. He also was an offensive coordinator at Denver and Arizona before becoming Jacksonville’s quarterback coach this year.
Along with Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, McCoy has helped former No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft Trevor Lawrence have a resurgent season as he threw for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions after struggling as a rookie.
If the Jets are really interested in developing Wilson, McCoy might be the guy who can help with that, as the team will also probably acquire a veteran quarterback this offseason.
DOLPHINS QB COACH DARRELL BEVELL
Another name linked to the Jets offensive coordinator role is Bevell, who has 15 years of coordinator experience. Bevell began his NFL career as an assistant quarterback coach for the Packers. Later, he was the offensive coordinator for the Vikings, Seahawks, Lions and Jaguars.
Bevell and Jets coach Robert Saleh were both on Pete Carroll’s staff in Seattle from 2011-13. Saleh was the defensive quality control coach from 2011-13, while Bevell was the team’s offensive coordinator (2011-17) during their back-to-back Super Bowl runs.
This year, Bevell and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel helped quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have the best season of his career as he passed for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
EX-COLTS COACH FRANK REICH
Reich is the people’s choice if you read Twitter mentions. The Colts fired him in November following a disappointing 3–5–1 start.
Before being the Colts coach, Reich was the Chargers and Eagles offensive coordinator. He also helped lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl championship in 2017. Reich’s downfall in Indianapolis was the same thing the Jets are currently dealing with and that’s missing on the quarterback position.
Reich interviewed for the Panthers coaching opening earlier this week. It’s difficult to see Reich coming to the Jets when Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas might not have a job past the 2023 season if the team doesn’t make the playoffs next season. Reich could have more attractive offers, or he could decide to sit and get paid $9 million by the Colts next year.
RAMS SR. OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT GREG OLSON
Depending on what happens during the offseason, Olson could make sense for the Jets. Gang Green has been linked to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders are expected to move on from Carr shortly after the Super Bowl as he is due $32.9 million guaranteed if he stays on the roster.
Olson was the Raiders offensive coordinator from 2018-21, so Carr certainly knows his offense. After Las Vegas made a coaching change, Olson spent this season as the Rams offensive assistant to coach Sean McVay.
EX-BRONCOS COACH NATHANIEL HACKETT
The Hackett experiment was a disaster in Denver in 2022, as he was fired as head coach on Dec. 26 after going 4-11. But Hackett has extensive experience as a coordinator and quarterback coach.
When Saleh was with the Jaguars as their linebackers coach (2014-16), Hackett was the team’s quarterbacks coach (2015-16) and later their offensive coordinator (2016-18). Before becoming the Broncos coach, Hackett was the Packers offensive coordinator from 2019-21 under Matt LaFleur, Mike’s brother.
Like many walks of life, the NFL is a relationship business, so that’s why Hackett to the Jets makes a ton of sense.
()
[ad_2]
Source link
