Even if head coach Adam Gase doesn’t think so, or just say it based solely on what it means for his employment, the Jets are clearly “Tanking for Trevor” at this point. An 0-16 record is firmly in play, with a run of playoff contenders to finish out the schedule after Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Gase is certainly going to be gone, and a new head coach is coming in 2021.
In concert with Gase’s firing, quarterback Sam Darnold is as good as gone too. There will be teams willing to trade for the former top-5 pick, on the idea of fixing him and the history of players who have escaped Gase’s coaching (or lack thereof). The Jets will have a new quarterback to pair with a new head coach.
The idea of pairing with Trevor Lawrence, or even his current quarterback Justin Fields if the Jets go that way, might appeal to Day if he considers a move to the NFL. As a bit of intrigue it’s worth wondering if Day, in an interview and/or upon actually being hired as the head coach, would staunchly advocate for the Jets to take Fields over Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick.
The worst-case for the Jets with Day is they show interest in him and he turns them down. That’s easily a risk worth taking as they embark on a coaching search.