Breaking down the Jets general manager candidates as their search gets going

This won’t be quick. The Jets plan to hold a thorough search for their next general manager. The 33rd Team will help compile a list of names. The Jets will interview those candidates. They’ll do everything they can to add the person whom they believe is the right one to lift them out of their 14-year playoff drought.

That search is underway, with the Jets formally completing interviews and scheduling others. Important reminder: The only candidates the Jets are permitted to speak to at the moment are those not currently under contract.

Stay tuned for the latest…

Thomas Dimitroff [interviewed]

A candidate with experience is preferred. It’s one thing to be a first-time general manager. Doing it in New York is another beast entirely. Dimitroff fits that mold as he served as the Falcons general manager from 2008 through 2020. The team made the playoffs six times and went to one Super Bowl (Patriots in 2017) during that span. Dimitroff’s first draft pick as the team’s general manager was quarterback Matt Ryan, who went to four Pro Bowls and earned one First-Team, All-Pro honor.

Other notable draft picks during his tenure included receiver Julio Jones (first round, No. 6), running back Devonta Freeman (fourth round, No. 103), right end Austin Hooper (third round, No. 81) and receiver Calvin Ridley (first round, No. 26)

Dimitroff spent six years in the Patriots organization (national scout, 2002; director of college scouting, 2003-2007) before joining Atlanta. He also served as a college scout for the Browns (1998-2001), Lions (1994-1997) and Chiefs (1993).

Jon Robinson [interviewed]

The immediate connection here will be to Mike Vrabel, whom multiple NFL sources believe is the coach the Jets covet the most. Johnson served as the Titans general manager from 2016 through 2022. Vrabel was the Titans coach his final four years. Johnson was previously the director of player personnel for the Bucs (2013-2015). He also spent time in the Patriots organization as a scout (2002-2007), assistant director of college scouting (2008) and director of college scouting (2009-2012).

The Titans made the playoffs four times under Robinson. More impressive: The Titans’ 7-10 mark in Robinson’s final season was their only losing record during his tenure. They won three playoff games – one in 2017 (beat the Chiefs), and two in 2019 (beat the Patriots and Ravens). Tackle Jack Conklin (first round, No. 8), running back Derrick Henry (second round, No. 45), cornerback Adoree Jackson (first round, No. 18), tight end Jonnu Smith (third round, No. 100), defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (first round. No. 19) and receiver A.J. Brown (second round, No. 51) were among his draft picks. He did have one colossal bust: Tackle Isaiah Wilson.

Louis Riddick [to interview]

This would be an outside-the-box hire for the Jets. Riddick currently serves as an analyst for ESPN. He does have executive experience, though, having previously served as the Eagles assistant director of pro personnel (2009) and director of pro personnel (2010-2013). He was Washington’s director of pro personnel, too, from 2005-2007. He worked as a pro scout for the now-Commanders from 2001-2004, and the Eagles in 2008.

Riddick also played from 1991 through 1999 for various teams. While he hasn’t received a general manager position, he has been in the interview cycles. The Lions and Texans both interviewed him in 2020. The Giants interviewed him in 2017.