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I think it’s fair to say we’ve reached silly season in the Jets’ coaching search.
Last night this nugget of information broke.
Former Packers’ HC Mike McCarthy doesn’t want to be considered, and isn’t pursuing, any other HC vacancy other than the New York Jets’, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2019
People went crazy when they heard this. Here’s the thing. We pretty much knew this already. McCarthy has only interviewed with the Jets, and the process is winding down for most teams.
As it turns out, McCarthy might have had a reason to look elsewhere.
.@LesLevine just reported on @923TheFan #Browns wanted to hire Mike McCarthy as head coach with stipulation Freddie Kitchens remain with team as OC, McCarthy declined.
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) January 9, 2019
In any event, the fact McCarthy is so focused on the Jets makes him a lock, right?
Maybe not based on what Albert Breer said to WFAN yesterday.
#NFL @AlbertBreer tells us that Adam Gase is a name you can't rule out for the @nyjets ..
— Brian Monzo (@BMonzoRadio) January 8, 2019
So it’s McCarthy or Gase...unless Manish Mehta’s sources are right.
#Jets obviously are not tipping their hand, but the perception of two other teams looking for head coaches is that Baylor’s Matt Rhule is NYJ’s guy. pic.twitter.com/icA0iLAl9X
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) January 7, 2019
Lest you doubt Mehta’s sources, Karl Abramson who proclaims himself a “Jets Football Insider” on his unverified Twitter handle with less than 450 followers makes it sound like Rhule to the Jets is a done deal.
UPDATE: Jets and Matt Rhule will speak again today about the open HC position. It's expected that if offered, Rhule will accept the job. This could be over by 6PM #Jets #Baylor #NFL https://t.co/VdmYQInH8U
— Karl Abramson (@karlabramson) January 9, 2019
Sounds legit, right?
But if you listen to Ralph Vacchiano, the Jets don’t know what they’re going to do next.
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan and CEO Christopher Johnson are believed to be huddling with other team executives on Wednesday to determine what comes next - whether they want to interview more candidates, bring in some for a second interview, or just make their final decision.
That might be the most accurate report we will see all day.
Could it be possible that everybody is guessing, and nobody knows anything?