Jets are “putting out feelers” to gauge a top candidate’s interest in a coaching job

The New York Jets have already interviewed two candidates for their open general manager position. Interviews with the head coach have not yet begun.

But that doesn’t mean the Jets are breaking ground.

According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, New York has reportedly “put out feelers to gauge the interest” of one of the leading candidates in the hiring cycle, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, in the position.

The report came the same day the Jets announced they had formally interviewed Vrabel’s former boss, Jon Robinson, for the general manager job.

Vrabel currently works as a coach and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns. So it’s not yet clear whether New York can officially interview him.

The Jets can talk to candidates like Robinson and former Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, as neither is currently with an NFL team.

Coaches and team personnel who work with NFL teams cannot be interviewed until two days after the end of the regular season.

Vrabel will be one of the most pursued head coach candidates after the end of the season alongside the Detroit Lions’ two coordinators – offensive chief Ben Johnson and defensive chief Aaron Glenn.

He is also one of the most experienced candidates in the coaching carousel.

Vrabel has a solid connection with Bill Belichick, reportedly leading his people to contact the Jets about his possible interest in the job. He played on three of Belichick’s Super Bowl teams in New England from 2001 to 2008 and is a member of the team’s Hall of Fame.

He never coached for Belichick, but worked his way up as an assistant at Ohio State, followed by a four-year stint at Houston in which he served as the Texans’ defensive coordinator for a year.

That led to the head coaching position at Tennessee, where he went 54-45 in six seasons and led the Titans to three playoff berths, including a trip to the AFC title game.

He’s doing better and better these days as the Titans have improved since he was fired after the 2023 season, when they went 6-11.

Vrabel is known for his no-nonsense coaching style, building respect in the locker room and winning – all things the New York Jets could use after owner Woody Johnson fired both general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh earlier this season .