Could Mike McCarthy be the answer for the Jets, Sam Darnold?
The New York Jets may be in the market for a new head coach after the season, and Mike McCarthy is reportedly on their wish list.
If Todd Bowles it out, could Mike McCarthy be in?
The New York Jets (4-9) are moving toward securing a third straight double-digit loss season under head coach Todd Bowles, which could cost him his job. Assuming a move is made after the season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network has reported former McCarthy, the former Green Bay Packers head coach is “very high” on the Jets’ list to replace Bowles.
McCarthy was fired by the Packers nearly two weeks ago, after a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The deterioration of his relationship with Aaron Rodgers and an 11-16-1 record since the start of the 2017 season put him on the hot seat, and the loss to the Cardinals served as the point of no return.
But McCarthy had a 125-77-2 regular season record in just under 13 seasons in Green Bay, with a Super Bowl win after the 2010 season and nine playoff appearances in his 12 full seasons. He’ll be unemployed as long as he wants to be, and past ties to Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey has made him a logical candidate there.
The offensive-minded McCarthy is the opposite of the defensive-minded Bowles and that’s exactly what the Jets need right now. The most important thing for the next coach is developing quarterback Sam Darnold.
McCarthy’s critics will point to the increasingly stale offense he saddled Rodgers with in recent years that led to his firing mid-season. However, he had a key role in developing Rodgers, and it’s easy to see him being reinvigorated by the idea of working with Darnold and having a fresh start.
Related Story. 5 possible replacements for Mike McCarthy as Packers head coach. light
Garafolo suggests the Jets are prepared to go “big game hunting” if they decide to replace Bowles, and McCarthy fits that bill as a coach with a Super Bowl win on his resume. There’s some question if he wants to immediately coach again, and it’s possible he sits out a year. But if he wants to get right back in, and he’s willing to hire an offensive coordinator who can help him modernize his offense, the Jets may move quickly to fire Bowles and hire McCarthy.