Jets name John Idzik general manager
The Jets have found themselves a new general manager.
The team confirmed late Friday that John Idzik, current vice president of football administration in Seattle, is the Jets’ choice to replace Mike Tannenbaum.
“After a thorough search in which we met many qualified and outstanding candidates, it was clear to me that John was the right choice,” owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “During his two decades in the NFL, John helped build a Super Bowl championship team in Tampa Bay, an NFC Championship team in Arizona and, most recently, a team in Seattle that narrowly missed reaching the NFC Championship game. John has seen first-hand what’s necessary to construct a winning team and has worked with some of the most innovative and successful coaches in the NFL, including Pete Carroll, Tony Dungy, Dennis Green, Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren. Drawing on 20 years of NFL experience, John, working with Rex, will get the Jets where all of us want to be.”
Idzik was reportedly offered the job Thursday night and it was finalized Friday.
Tannenbaum was fired the Monday after the season concluded and the search for a replacement began soon thereafter. Idzik was one of multiple candidates to get a second interview, a list which included Steelers director of football and business administration Omar Khan. Idzik, like Tannenbaum before him, is considered a salary cap expert more than a personnel expert.
Idzik, Khan and in-house candidate Scott Cohen, who was Tannanbaum’s assistant, were considered the favorites for the job.
The Jets struggled to a 6-10 season in 2012, the second straight in which they missed the playoffs. As the new general manager, Idzik would immediately face a multitude of questions.
The team has also reportedly hired Marty Mornhinweg, former Eagles offensive coordinator, to the same position. Former Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron, former Raiders coach Hue Jackson and former Browns head coach Pat Shurmur had all been candidates for the position.
Tim Tebow has one year left on his contract, but is widely expected to be released due to a small cap hit. Mark Sanchez, on the other hand, was given an extension prior to last season and while he is due $7 million next season, it would count as $17 million against the salary cap if he is cut.
The draft is also quickly approaching, with questions at quarterback, linebacker, where veterans Bart Scott and Calvin Pace are getting up in years, and running back.
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