Jets interview Josh McCown for head coach…
The Jets accomplished interviews No. 13, 14 and 15 for their head coach opening on Friday.
Two of the interviews had been with coordinators — Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
The third was with a candidate who can be a more unconventional alternative — Josh McCown.
Josh McCown is at present the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach. AP
Jets followers will keep in mind McCown’s two years with the workforce as a quarterback, first as a starter after which as a mentor to rookie Sam Darnold.
McCown is now the Vikings quarterbacks coach, the place he was reunited with Darnold this season as Minnesota went 14-3 and made the playoffs.
McCown, who has solely been an NFL assistant for two years, is the one teaching candidate the Jets have that has not been a head coach or a coordinator.
The 45-year-old can be making an uncommon leap from place coach to the highest job with out a stop as a coordinator.
But those that know McCown nicely say his management skill will overshadow any lack of expertise he has calling performs.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall performed with McCown in 2012 and 2013 with the Bears.
Josh McCown interviewed for the Jets’ head coach job. Paul J. Bereswill
Marshall noticed McCown substitute an injured Jay Cutler in 2013 and throw 13 touchdowns and one interception, protecting the Bears season alive.
“I knew back then that Josh was a man I would follow anywhere. Josh is a leader. He’s a galvanizer,” Marshall stated Friday. “He happened to know how to throw the football. He happened to have a high football IQ. The thing that made Josh special is everyone in the [bleeping] building loves him. Everybody.”
The leap from place coach to head coach is uncommon however not unprecedented.
A great instance of it working is Andy Reid, who went from Packers quarterbacks coach to Eagles head coach in 1999.
Reid has gained 273 common season video games, the fourth most in NFL historical past, and has gained three Super Bowls with the Chiefs.
Reid’s achievements could also be a robust bar for McCown to clear however there are different examples of coaches being employed who haven’t known as performs earlier than like McCown’s boss in Minnesota, Kevin O’Connell or Miami’s Mike McDaniel.
Josh McCown spent two seasons with the Jets. Getty Images
Those two had offensive coordinator titles however weren’t the first play-caller with Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan as their respective bosses.
Marshall stated McVay’s 18 years within the NFL as a quarterback more than make up for a lack of teaching expertise.
“Who’s more qualified to run an offense — a coach or a guy who actually played the position?” Marshall stated.
McCown spent a few years as a backup quarterback and later in his profession was a mentor to many younger quarterbacks, making ready him for his teaching future.
McCown has already been interviewed twice by the Texans for their head teaching openings in 2021 and 2022.
The first got here whereas he was nonetheless a participant.
Josh McCown spent a few years as a backup quarterback and later in his profession was a mentor to many younger quarterbacks, making ready him for his teaching future. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
In 2018, the Jets had been contemplating firing Todd Bowles during the season however couldn’t determine if anybody on the teaching workers may very well be the interim coach.
McCown was mentioned as an option as a player-coach, exhibiting how extremely he was thought of.
Mike McCartney, McCown’s longtime agent when he was a participant, stated McCown can join with gamers as a result of he has gone via almost each expertise within the NFL.
“Josh McCown is the epitome of a leader of men,” McCartney stated Friday. “He genuinely cares about people and has an unparalleled ability to connect with everyone in the locker room. His career reflects a unique journey — he’s been drafted, paid, released, traded, injured, played in another league and even been on a practice squad. Josh can truly identify with every player on a roster because he’s lived their experiences. This makes him a natural teacher, motivator and unifier.”
There doesn’t appear to be any doubt across the league that McCown will ultimately be a head coach.
There have been situations like McVay with the Rams and Zac Taylor with the Bengals the place groups determined to rent somebody early earlier than dropping the possibility to rent them later.
Josh McCown is the one teaching candidate the Jets have that has not been a head coach or a coordinator. Getty Images
McCartney stated he’s assured McCown will put collectively a sturdy workers to help him win if the Jets rent him.
“What sets Josh apart is self-awareness and humility — he would know how to put together a coaching staff that complements his inexperience in coaching and bolsters areas where he may lack strength,” McCartney stated. “His ability to surround himself with the right people, paired with his leadership and character, makes him an ideal head coach candidate for the Jets or any NFL team.”
The Titans are working towards hiring Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, in accordance with a number of reviews.
Borgonzi interviewed with the Jets and was seen as a sturdy candidate.
The Jets are anticipated to start second interviews with GM candidates within the subsequent few days.
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