Jets make decision on general manager

The Jets hired a head coach earlier this week and are now filling their general manager vacancy. However, after Lance Newmark appeared to be the top target, the team has moved in another direction.

Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports that the Jets will hire Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey. He was among the staffers who lined up a second interview for this week, so it comes as little surprise he is set to get the nod. Still, after Newmark looked to have a deal all but in place on Tuesday, this is a notable pivot on New York’s part.

The Jets were open to bringing in a head coach or a general manager first during the 2025 cycle, and Aaron Glenn was the initial hire in the team’s case. The former Lions defensive coordinator has a history with New York as a player, and Newmark represented a familiar face with Glenn, given their time spent together in Detroit. A natural fit was in place, but the Jets opted to conduct follow-up interviews with both Mougey and Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown before making a final decision.

Mougey’s meeting occurred Thursday, and Troy Renck of the Denver Post notes that he returned to the Broncos’ facility to await whether he received the Jets’ GM job. Subsequent reports have not confirmed that Mougey has won out, but provided the team ultimately announces this news, he will be set to undertake his first general manager role. The 39-year-old has been with the Broncos throughout his front-office career, so this will double as his first posting with any other organization.

Mougey quickly transitioned from his playing career to the scouting world as an intern with the Broncos in 2012. By 2020, he had reached the assistant college scouting director level while continuing to rise through the ranks. Mougey took over as director of player personnel for 2021, and the following year, he was promoted to assistant GM. After working under both John Elway and George Paton, he will now lead his own staff.

New York conducted a wide-ranging search for the head coach and general manager positions, and both vacancies were filled in a matter of days. The quarterback position will remain a talking point until clarity emerges on the Aaron Rodgers front, and several other key priories — including potential extensions for cornerback Sauce Gardner and wideout Garrett Wilson — are in place. How Mougey and Glenn address them will be key in shaping the organization’s direction. Paton and the Broncos, meanwhile, will now have a notable front-office vacancy to fill.

Via PFR’s GM search tracker, here is a final look at how the Jets’ process played out:

• Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/8; hired by Titans
• Trey Brown, senior personnel executive (Bengals): Conducted second interview 1/23
• Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): Interviewed 12/16
• Ray Farmer, senior personnel executive (Rams): Interviewed 1/9
• Brian Gaine, assistant general manager (Bills): Interviewed 1/14
• Mike Greenberg, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/10
• Ryan Grigson, senior vice president of player personnel (Vikings): Interviewed 1/11
• Alec Halaby, assistant general manager (Eagles): Interviewed 1/8
• Darren
  Mougey, assistant general manager (Broncos): To be hired
• Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl director: Interviewed 12/19
• Lance
  Newmark, assistant general manager (Commanders): Conducted second interview 1/21; hire expected; still a candidate
• Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed 1/2
• Jon Robinson, former general manager (Titans): Interviewed 12/17
• Chris
  Spielman, special assistant to president/CEO (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
• Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed 1/14