Jets interview Eagles personnel director Joe Douglas for general manager job
New York Jets chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson at the team's "Take Flight" new uniform event at Gotham Hall in New York City on April 4, 2019. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Jets interviewed Joe Douglas for their vacant general manager job Sunday, the team announced.
Douglas, the Eagles’ director of player personnel, was the third known candidate to interview and is considered the leading candidate to replace Mike Maccagnan. Douglas and Jets coach Adam Gase worked together for one season with the Bears.
Douglas has spent the past three years with the Eagles and helped GM Howie Roseman assemble the roster that won the Super Bowl in February 2018. Douglas also spent 15 years with the Ravens, including 13 as a scout. He was instrumental in the Ravens’ decision to draft quarterback Joe Flacco in 2008, and Flacco was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013.
The Jets started their interviews Friday, with Seahawks co-director of player personnel Scott Fitterer visiting with the team. Saints director of pro scouting Terry Fontenot interviewed Saturday.
Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly also is expected to interview. It’s unclear whether the Jets will add another name or two to their interview list. They requested to interview Vikings assistant GM George Paton, but he declined the request and will stay in Minnesota, The Athletic reported.
Jets chairman and chief executive officer Christopher Johnson appointed Gase as the acting GM after Maccagnan and vice president of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger were relieved of their duties May 15. Johnson said Gase will “assist” in finding Maccagnan’s replacement.
Gase is familiar with Kelly, with whom he worked with the Broncos and Bears, and Douglas. Gase has no past working relationship with Fitterer and Fontenot.
Gase has acknowledged that he and Maccagnan had disagreements but said he had no role in Maccagnan losing his job. He added that hiring the new GM will be Johnson’s decision.
“Christopher has to make the decision on who he likes, who he wants and what their vision is,” Gase said May 23. “We have to go through this process to figure out what he’s looking for, how he feels when he meets somebody.”
During a conference call on the day Maccagnan was relieved of his duties, Johnson said he is looking for a particular candidate to be his new GM.
“I want a strategic thinker, a great manager, a communicator, someone who can collaborate well with the building,” Johnson said. “I’m convinced I’m going to find that person.”
