New York Jets hire Mike Maccagnan as new GM

The New York Jets appear to finally have one piece of their offseason retooling puzzle in place with the hiring of Mike Maccagnan as GM.

On the same day that former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan headed to Buffalo to became the Bills’ new head coach, the Jets are set to hire the Houston Texans college scouting director Mike Maccagnan as their new GM.

More from New York Jets

According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Jets are expected to make Maccagnan their new GM after he completed a second interview in the latter part of the week. He has been in New York for the last three days talking with Jets owner Woody Johnson.

"The new general manager had strong connection with Charley Casserly, one of the consultants Johnson leaned on during the interview process. Casserly hired Maccagnan first with the Redskins in the 1990s and again later with the Texans."

Maccagnan is considered a good talent evaluator and has been a part of both up and down drafts with Houston. Of course the biggest highlight of his tenure would be grabbing one of the best defensive players now in the league with J.J. Watt. That’s the biggest difference between going for this type of candidate for a GM and someone like John Idzik, who was good with numbers, but not much else. The one good thing about Idzik’s time with the Jets is that the team’s finances are pretty in order where they can probably sign wide receiver Percy Harvin as well as acquire other talent.

The Jets had earlier given the indication that they wanted to hire a general manager before filling the head coach position, presumably to give the new GM a chance to have a say in the coaching hire. The long relationship with adviser Charley Casserly was likely a big factor in the hiring of Maccagnan.

As for the head coach position, the Jets have been leaning towards Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as well as Cardinals coordinator Todd Bowles. In fact, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Jets were prepared to fly out to Seattle and hire Quinn if the Seahawks had lost on Saturday night.

Another possible candidate for the Jets job could be offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who is now available since the Ravens lost on Saturday, ending their season. Kubiak had a big hand in reviving the Ravens run game this year with Justin Forsett, who was nearly out of the league until the Ravens picked him up on Kubiak’s recommendation.

[H/T: NFL.com]

The New York Jets appear to finally have one piece of their offseason retooling puzzle in place with the hiring of Mike Maccagnan as GM.

More from FanSided