The signs are pointing to a Mike Maccagnan keeping his job. If he chooses the next head coach, the New York Jets must extend the GM’s contract
All reports are that, after the game in Week 17, Todd Bowles will no longer be the head coach of the New York Jets, and that was inevitable. However, that still leaves the question about what they will do with general manager Mike Maccagnan.
Let’s face the music, it has become abundantly clear that they won’t fire Mike Maccagnan. How can I say that? It doesn’t make sense for an organization to allow him to negotiate a contact extension with a player (Quincy Enunwa) if they’re going to let him go.
I know the Jets are not exactly know for being a buttoned up organization. However, even the Jets wouldn’t do something as stupid as allowing a lame duck general manager to re-negotiate a contract.
It does mean one thing, though. The Jets have no choice but to extend the contract of Maccgnan. As of right now his contract ends after next season, and the Jets will be looking for a new head coach.
If they’re going to let him select the coach, they need to be tied together. The coaching search will be tainted with a lame duck GM. The Jets must do one of two things: Sign Maccagnan to an extension before they sign the new head coach, or sign the new head coach, and then immediately extend Maccagnan to make the length of his contract match the length of the new coach. Either way, he must get an extension, even if he doesn’t deserve one.
No quality head coach would sign with the Jets if Maccagnan is only on for one more season. In the end, the Jets really have put themselves in a situation where the have no choice. Now Maccagnan can prove that the 2018 NFL Draft and free agency period weren’t flukes, but he will be tied to the next head coach, and both will be gone if this marriage fails.