The NFL head coaching cycle is in full swing. The New York Jets are not participating, as owner Woody Johnson has thrown his full support behind head coach Aaron Glenn despite a difficult first season.
The Jets aren’t looking for a new head coach, but Glenn is tasked with hiring a new defensive coordinator this offseason.
The Jets fired Steve Wilks after his defense allowed 48 points against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Interim defensive play-caller Chris Harris did not fare any better. Black Monday around the league led to Glenn having more potential names to fill his DC vacancy.
One the Jets should be particularly attentive to is Raheem Morris. The Atlanta Falcons fired Morris after consecutive 8-9 seasons. He immediately becomes one of the most sought-after defensive coordinator candidates on the market.
Morris is technically interviewing for at least one head coaching vacancy. It would ultimately be surprising if he landed a third opportunity. Morris is far more likely to end up coordinating an NFL defense next season.
Morris’ defenses were stout in Atlanta. This past season, he got instant production of various draft picks, including Xavier Watts, Jalon Walker, James Pearce, and Billy Bowman Jr. The Jets need their next defensive coordinator to do something similar. A lack of talent is evident throughout the defense, meaning GM Darren Mougey has to go defense-heavy this offseason.
Morris would be a great candidate to oversee the Jets’ defensive turnaround.
The elephant in the room is Morris will have several options if he’s settling for a defensive coordinator gig. It’s difficult to envision him thinking the Jets are the best opportunity out there.
