NY Jets' rumored regime plan signals shift toward a 'Vikings East' approach

The NY Jets weren't kidding when they insisted on conducting an "extensive" search for their next head coach and general manager. While most teams have taken the typical approach of bringing in a handful of serious candidates for their vacant positions, the Jets have opted for a more comprehensive strategy.

The Jets have interviewed or will interview a whopping 16 head coach candidates and 16 general manager candidates. That's 32 different interviews the team will conduct over the span of a few weeks.

With such a large pool of candidates, it can be hard to narrow down the list to a few of the most realistic targets. But SNY's Connor Hughes did his best to predict one possible route the Jets could take this offseason.

Hughes reported on Saturday that one group he's "heard" in connection to the Jets job would be Ryan Grigson as the general manager, Brian Flores as the head coach, and Josh McCown as the offensive coordinator.

NY Jets eyeing Ryan Grigson, Brian Flores, and Josh McCown in their regime search

The trio of Grigson, Flores, and McCown makes plenty of sense as a package deal. All three are currently members of the Minnesota Vikings and could continue their working relationship with another organization.

Grigson, the current senior vice president of player personnel for the Vikings, previously served as the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2016. He's been with the Vikings since 2022.

Flores most notably served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins between 2019 and 2021, where he coached his team to a 25-26 record, including 19 wins over his last two seasons, before he was fired. He's been the Vikings' defensive coordinator since 2022.

McCown spent 16 years as a quarterback in the NFL before he was hired as the quarterbacks coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He's only spent one season in Minnesota but has received rave reviews.

The Jets seem to be prioritizing experience in their search for a new regime, and both Grigson and Flores have prior experience in the roles they interviewed for. What McCown lacks in official coaching experience he makes up for in tangible on-field experience.

McCown, who is also set to interview for the Jets job, would be an attractive offensive coordinator option to pair with Flores, a defensive-minded coach. The trio makes sense, even if some would be underwhelmed by the Grigson hire.

Grigson came under intense scrutiny for his handling of Andrew Luck's offensive line situation in Indianapolis and didn't exactly find much success running the NFL Draft. Only two players drafted by Grigson between 2013 and 2016 received a second contract with the organization, and one was fringe starting safety Clayton Geathers.

His track record isn't quite as strong as the other two, but if the Jets are looking for experience and familiarity, the trio of Grigson, Flores, and McCown is a sensible one.

The Jets might be looking to emulate the success of their neighbors to the northwest. Vikings East, anyone?