Jets focus on Joe Douglas after Mike Maccagnan firing

The Jets may look down the New Jersey Turnpike for their next general manager.

Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas is considered to be the favorite to land the Jets GM job by many around the NFL. Some even say it is a done deal and Douglas will be hired as soon as the Jets comply with the Rooney Rule and interview a minority candidate.

League sources said Douglas has already reached out to people about joining him with the Jets. ESPN reported NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah could have a prominent front-office role.

One source, however, denied any decision has been made by the Jets yet.

The link between Douglas and the Jets is coach Adam Gase. The two worked together in 2015 with the Bears when Douglas was Chicago’s director of college scouting and Gase was the offensive coordinator. The Jets fired Mike Maccagnan on Wednesday after a power struggle between Gase and Maccagnan. It sounds like Douglas is Gase’s preferred choice for GM.

Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said Gase will “assist” in the GM search along with several other people inside the team.

Douglas has a good reputation around the league. He joined the Eagles in 2016 and helped build them in to a Super Bowl champion in 2017. Prior to his year with the Bears, Douglas worked in the Ravens’ personnel department from 2000-15.

It was with the Ravens that Douglas worked with Jeremiah, who was a scout in Baltimore from 2003-07.

One league source said Douglas could have his pick of GM jobs after this season. The source questioned whether Douglas would join a franchise where he could not hire his own head coach. But most around the league believe Douglas already has been lined up by the Jets.

The Jets plan on starting their search for a GM immediately. They could look to former Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie for an interview. Vikings assistant general manager George Paton is usually a candidate for GM openings, but has always chosen to remain in Minnesota. Adam Peters, the 49ers vice president of player personnel, could also get an interview.

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