The Jets’ decision to move on from Joe Douglas created a vacancy for the general manager position. The team moved quickly in bringing in Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman to lead the way in the search for his replacement along with a new head coach. 
Several candidates for the GM position have already emerged, but the Jets are also set to begin looking into head coaching options. Only those not currently under contract with another NFL club can meet with the team at this point in the year, and a notable name in that regard has emerged. Ron Rivera will interview with the Jets this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
[RELATED: Rex Ryan Expecting Jets Interview]
New York is looking for experience in both the head coach and general manager positions, and Rivera would certainly qualify in that regard. The 62-year-0ld’s NFL coaching tenure dates back 20 years, and he spent a total of six seasons as defensive coordinator of the Bears and Chargers. That was followed by a nine-year run at the helm of the Panthers, one which was highlighted by a Super Bowl appearance. Rivera’s time in Carolina came to an end with a midseason firing in 2019, but he took charge of the Commanders the following year.
In his debut campaign in the nation’s capital, Rivera guided the team to the postseason (despite managing a record of only 7-9). After that year’s wild-card defeat, seven- and eight-win seasons followed, and a lack of postseason appearances and questions at the quarterback spot lingered entering last year. Sam Howell was leaned on to handle QB1 duties, and his struggles in that role (along with a poor defensive outing especially after edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat were traded away) resulted in a 4-13 campaign. After a one-year observation period from owner Josh Harris, Rivera was fired in a move which came as little surprise.
The longtime staffer has not held a position at the pro or college levels this year, but he made it clear last winter he did not intend to retire. Rivera added a willingness to return to a defensive coordinator position in his next gig, and he drew notable interest in that respect. The Cowboys, Rams and Eagles each interviewed him for their respective DC openings, although all three teams went in a different direction. Rivera could once again be a name to watch on the coordinator front in this year’s hiring cycle.
Of course, that could also be true with respect to another head coaching opportunity. The Bears and Saints are also in need of a full-time coach for 2025, and more vacancies are expected in the near future. The Jets’ interest will produce at least one interview, though, and it will be interesting to see if more are soon to follow.
Lol don’t do it
River boat Ron is an awful HC. Proved that in Carolina & DC. He be perfect for the Jets.
I don’t think he’s great, but what about his tenure in Carolina was particularly awful?
Took over a 2-14 team, which immediately improved to 7-9 in his first year. By year 3, had the team in the postseason, starting a run of 4 playoff appearances in 5 years. His firing largely coincided with a decline in Cam Newton’s health (Kyle Allen was the primary starting QB when he got canned). Appears to have been respected in the lockerroom as well
DC was a different story, but I thought he did a respectable job with Carolina.
Ron is successful when there is stable ownership in place.
Ownership was healthy with Richardson as owner in Carolina. He gets in trouble for actions outside of the club. Tepper shows up. Oof. To Ron’s good fortune, IMO, he gets canned. But then he decides to work for Dan Snyder. Oof, again.
Ron. Do yourself a favor. Stay away from clubs with a dysfunctional ownership. You struggle with success in these environments.
I guess the Rooney rule is satisfied
hahahahahahaahahahaahah perfect fit.
I think Rivera overall did a good job in Carolina, and I think he made sense for Washington when they desperately needed a grownup leader in the building, but I don’t think he’s a realistic head coach candidate at this stage. Tons of respect for him as a man, but I think he’s behind the curve on the field at this point.
Completely agree, he should be able to land a DC gig somewhere though. Well respected leader and had success previously.
I pretty much have the exact same thoughts. Great tenure in Carolina, but it was becoming clear at the end of it that the league was trending in a different direction. His tenure in Washington proved he was no longer viable as a head coach.
I agree. I have tremendous respect for Rivera as a man, but why fire Saleh to hire him? They both run a 4-3 base type of defense, both are well respected by their players, and a reputation for patience and maturity. Saleh is just younger, and a history with the roster. Both are respected, but nobody considers them elite at this time.
The Jets would be hiring the same type of coach after firing their last one unceremoniously. The only argument that holds water for firing Saleh would be hiring a much different type of leader, right? I don’t get it.
Remember when Woody Johnson said “Thinking is overrated”? Firing Saleh was an emotional move, not a logical one. It’s a waste of time to look at it through a lens of making clear sense. They had just lost to an undefeated Vikings team and were one game out of first place. Firing Saleh made Ulbrich worse at running the defense, too. As far as the hiring process, it’s also an opportunity for an organization to hear a bunch of different perspectives. I don’t think it’s bad for the Jets to be in a room with Rivera, even if I don’t think he would be a good hire. I don’t trust the Jets’ higher ups, but I do think Spielman leading the search is a good thing. I wouldn’t be mad if the Jets brought him in house in a president role or something equivalent, not that I’m holding my breath for the Johnsons to delegate leadership to people who actually know how football teams should be run.
I completely agree with all of that. I know how they got to where they are now, so I’m not against a single word of anything that you said here. I think that we both know, though, that after this is said and done, it’ll look very redundant if the Jets essentially tossed Saleh just to hire Rivera.
Like you said, it wasn’t a decision made with forward thinking in mind. But it still will feel absolutely pointless if you see that in front of you in a year’s time. I think we’re in agreement, if I had to guess, but then again, we’re doing a lot more thinking about this than Johnson did…or ever has.
Ain’t that the shame of it all. I know I have strong opinions, but I don’t actually think I know more about football than people in football. But I do think I—and you and most people—can see Woody Johnson’s behavior and decision making for what it is more clearly than he can.
Agreed.
He fits as a coach, but is terrible drafting, so do not let him have personnel decisions. But his time is over..
♂️
**face palm**. After he’s fired end next year the new GM and head coach can cut all his horrendous picks. He’ll be trying to figure out a way to trade for Emmanuel Forbes.
Everyone of his picks in Washington has been cut because they sucked .. LOLJETS
Just 2 words, Typical Jets.
If Cam wasn’t his QB, he’d have no more than 10 career wins as a Head Coach.
If he had fins and a blowhole, he’d be a dolphin.
A mediocre one at best.
In an era where teams celebrate mediocrity (i.e., Pittsburgh Steelers), he’s a perfect fit…right along with Rex Ryan.
If the Steelers are a mediocre franchise, most franchises would kill to be mediocre.
Until there’s a new owner, I can’t picture it mattering who the HC or GM is
I can’t picture them doing much better after everything that’s come out about their meddlesome owner. There’s no way they’ll get Ben Johnson, he wants stability from ownership all the way down, or at least some resemblance of a path to success.whoever takes this job is probably unemployed again in two years.
I’m just wondering if the Jets HC candidates will be asked to demonstrate their skill at Madden football during the interviews.
Rivera may not be the answer–younger players may not respond to him–but he could have won a SB if his QB didnt dog it in the big game.
Newton may not have had a choice. The NFL(owners and networks) wanted Peyton Manning to retire into the sunset with a SB win, after his HGH scandal …
As a Washington fan, the Jets would be wise to steer very clear of RR. Trust me, you don’t want that pain.
Rivera is an ageing football mind, who coaches mediocrity. If the Jets aim for seven and eight win seasons, Rivera is their man.