There’s a common perception that the New York Jets are going to have a hard time convincing top candidates to take their available general manager or head coaching jobs due to the losing culture surrounding the franchise and the meddlesome ways of owner Woody Johnson.
Is the “Woody Factor” a concern? Yes, especially now that we know he’s not going to reprise his role as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom (shout out to billionaire banker Warren Stephens for delivering another loss to Woody in 2024). However, there are only 32 each of these jobs, and unless you can write your own ticket like Bill Belichick or have amazing resumes like the unavailable John & Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton, Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin, you are going to at least do your due diligence.
When candidates receive the call from the consulting duo of former GM Mike Tannenbaum and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman, they’ll find that the Jets have too much talent to pass up.
They do not have a potential franchise QB like the Chicago Bears have in Caleb Williams, but they enough pieces in place to make them attractive to both veteran executives and coaches who know they might only get one more shot, and first timers who don’t want to go through the same pain that Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh just went through.
The Jets have 13 above average starters, signed to reasonable 2025 contracts, that the new GM and HC can confidently place on their Day 1 Depth Chart. This includes two assumptions: Olu Fashanu continuing to progress and Jermaine Johnson successfully recovering from his Achilles tear. Ages are as of December 31, 2024.
OFFENSE
LT – Olu Fashanu (Gaining comfort at LT) (Age 21)
LG – John Simpson (Currently PFF ranked 8th) (Age 27)
C – Joe Tippmann (Currently PFF ranked 9th) (Age 23)
RG – Alijah Vera-Tucker (Currently PFF ranked 20th) (Age 25)
WR – Garrett Wilson (OROY 2022) (Age 24)
RB – Breece Hall (Waiting for a new OC) (Age 23)
DEFENSE
DE – Jermaine Johnson (Pro Bowl 2023) (Age 25)
DT – Quinnen Williams (All-Pro 2022) (Age 27)
DE – Will McDonald IV (10 sacks through 12 games) (Age 25)
LB – Quincy Williams (All-Pro 2023) (Age 28)
LB – Jamien Sherwood (Currently PFF ranked 18th) (Age 24)
CB – Sauce Gardner (All-Pro 2022, 2023) (Age 24)
CB – Michael Carter II (Playing injured all year) (Age 25)
Plus, there are 7 kids that based on their performance, draft status and potential should be locks on the new brain-trust’s opening day roster:
PROSPECTS
QB – Jordan Travis (Age 24)
WR – Malachi Corley (Age 22)
WR – Xavier Gipson (Age 23)
RB – Braelon Allen (Age 20)
RB – Isaiah Davis (Age 22)
DT – Leonard Taylor III (Age 22)
CB – Qwan’tez Stiggers (Age 22)
That’s 13 of 22 starters, and 20 of 53 roster spots before the new regime makes their first decision. Plus, while some veterans will have to go for salary cap purposes and to revamp the leadership, look at the names that the new bosses will get to speak to exclusively before any of them rework their contracts, hit free agency or get released:
Tyrod Taylor, Morgan Moses, Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Tyler Conklin, Haason Reddick, Micheal Clemons, DJ Reed, Brandin Echols, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessy and Kene Nwangwu. We left off the three guys that are probably headed out the door either for “greener” pastures or retirement in Aaron Rodgers, Tyron Smith and CJ Mosley.
Finally, despite being “All-In” for two straight years, former GM Douglas left a relatively full cupboard with 8 picks in 2025 and 7 in 2026:
2025 (round, team)
1 – NY Jets
2 – NY Jets
3 – Detroit Lions
4 – NY Jets
5 – NY Jets
5 – Pittsburgh Steelers
6 – NY Jets
6 – Kansas City Chiefs
7 – No Pick
2026 (round, team)
1 – NY Jets
2 – NY Jets
3 – No Pick
4 – NY Jets
5 – NY Jets
6 – NY Jets
6 – Denver Broncos
6 – Buffalo Bills
Yes, the “Woody Factor” is real, but the talent at One Jets Drive is real too. With the right executive, the right head coach and the right coordinators, the Jets can get back to the days of Herman Edwards, Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan… all head coaches who went to the playoffs in their first year.
Simply put, there’s too much talent for anyone besides Mr. Belichick too pass up.
