Many pundits believe Johnson has lost credibility because of the recent front office movesGETTY IMAGES
Jets Chair & CEO Christopher Johnson said that he believes the team "won't have a problem attracting good candidates" for its open GM position, according to Brian Costello of the N.Y. POST. However, finding someone to fill the role "may not be the easy sell Johnson expects it to be." Any candidate is "going to want to know the power structure inside the Jets." Johnson said that the pecking order "would remain the same with the coach and GM both answering to him." But some outsiders look at the Jets and "wonder how much meddling goes on from other top members of the organization." The Jets "looked terrible with how they handled" the firing of former GM Mike Maccagnan. Johnson "lost credibility" and the organization "looks dysfunctional again" (N.Y. POST, 5/18).
COULD MANNING BE A MATCH? On Long Island, Al Iannazzone reported the Jets "could be targeting" Peyton Manning as their next GM. Pro Football Talk first reported the Jets' interest, and the idea is "not without foundation." Manning spoke to Johnson and "endorsed Gase" to be the Jets' coach this past offseason. Johnson said that Gase "will 'assist' in the hiring of the new GM, so it would make sense that he would want someone with whom he's comfortable." But it is "unclear if Manning is even interested in such a position." A source said they "would be shocked" if he took a job in the Jets' front office (NEWSDAY, 5/19). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote Manning "wouldn't be a traditional GM, but Johnson has made it clear that he's not looking for" that. Johnson said he is looking for someone who is "more than a talent-evaluation guy." Florio wrote getting Manning would "go a long way toward removing the current stink of dysfunction enveloping the Jets" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/17). NBCSN’s Chris Simms said it “doesn’t sound like this is serious to me” because Manning isn’t ready to do it. But Simms said if Johnson “shows up with a truckload of money and a piece of equity that’s the kind of thing that’s going to Peyton Manning’s attention” (“PFT,” NBCSN, 5/20).
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: ESPN.com's Rich Cimini noted the pool of qualified GM candidates is "smaller than it would have been if the Jets had made this move after the season." That said, the job "still has some appeal" because the Jets have a promising QB in Sam Darnold, a star RB in Le'Veon Bell and a "workable cap situation for the foreseeable future" (ESPN.com, 5/17).
NOT CAST IN A FAVORABLE LIGHT: Jets Owner Woody Johnson has been serving as U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., and PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Florio noted at some point, he "won't be serving in that role." Florio: "So what happens when Woody comes home, whenever that may be?" Woody Johnson "may decide sooner or later that he's not comfortable with the personalities who are managing the team." His eventual return "definitely will rearrange the franchise's furniture" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/17). In Boston, Ben Volin wrote the timing of Maccagnan's firing last week "certainly portrays a front office mired in dysfunction." One thing that is "clear is that [Christopher] Johnson didn't just fire Maccagnan on a whim." A source said that the Jets "reached out more than a week ago to one AFC executive, but he turned down an interview" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/19). In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote Christopher Johnson "tried" to engage in some damage control following Maccagnan's firing, but "failed miserably." Raissman: "How can you give the keys to the organization to Gase?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/19).
