Insider names ‘dark horse’ candidate to become next Jets HC

It was recently reported that former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel “would take into account” turning into the subsequent head coach of the New York Jets, relying on who crew proprietor Woody Johnson hires because the franchise’s new basic supervisor. 

A unique former head coach was linked with the Jets forward of the weekend. 

“One other title to observe, he is sort of a darkish horse candidate — Arthur Smith, at the moment the [Pittsburgh Steelers’] offensive coordinator. He was one of many runner-ups to [Robert Saleh] in 2021,” Jets reporter Wealthy Cimini of ESPN mentioned on the newest version of the “Flight Deck” podcast, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora shared. 

Smith compiled a 21-30 file as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23 however might quickly grow to be a coveted candidate amongst golf equipment trying to find a brand new chief on account of his efforts in serving to veteran Russell Wilson emerge as a quarterback able to guiding the 2024 Steelers to a Tremendous Bowl berth. In the meantime, the Jets seemingly had curiosity in Smith earlier this yr however could not persuade him to embrace what would have been a singular scenario. 

It was reported again within the spring that the Jets “made respectable makes an attempt this offseason to rent somebody who would, primarily, change” much-maligned offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. After Johnson fired Saleh in October, SNY’s Connor Hughes revealed that the Jets “made makes an attempt” to rent Smith through the offseason. 

“Whereas they weren’t going to do away with Hackett,” Hughes mentioned in regards to the Jets, “Smith would have assumed management of the offense. Smith as an alternative selected to hitch the Steelers as their offensive coordinator.” 

Cimini added in his replace that Smith becoming a member of the Jets “by no means actually obtained significantly near taking place as a result of he knew he was gonna go to Pittsburgh.” 

Predicting the Jets’ subsequent coach is basically inconceivable. As of the primary Friday of December, Johnson should rent a basic supervisor and/or a crew president of soccer operations. It is also value noting that the Jets have not formally selected quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s future. 

It seems that even Rodgers understands Johnson desires to take a special strategy to the game’s most vital place, however a brand new GM or head coach might want to preserve the long run Corridor of Famer as a bridge possibility via 2025.