Finally, the Jets’ search for a new general manager is complete after finalizing a deal to hire Darren Mougey, sources confirmed with the Daily News.
Mougey, 39, had been the Broncos’ assistant general manager since 2022. He had worked in Denver’s organization since 2012 when he joined the team as a scouting intern. Throughout the year, Mougey was promoted from Denver’s personnel and scouting assistant, college and pro personnel scout, and director of player personnel before becoming the team’s assistant general manager.
Mougey will replace Joe Douglas, who was fired on Nov. 19 after five-plus seasons as general manager. During his time with the Jets, Douglas registered a 32-62 record. Phil Savage was the Jets’ interim general manager for the final six games of the 2024 season.
Usually, when an organization has both a general manager and a coaching opening, the general manager is hired first. However, the Jets hired Aaron Glenn on Wednesday without finalizing a deal for a new general manager.
It appeared Washington assistant general manager Lance Newmark was the favorite to land the Jets general manager role after he was in the Lions organization for 26 years, including three seasons when Glenn was the team’s defensive coordinator. Both Glenn and Newmark interviewed at the Jets facility in Florham Park on Tuesday.
However, the Jets interviewed Mougey and Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown again on Thursday.
Although Mougey and Glenn have not worked together before, they are connected through Broncos coach Sean Payton. Glenn worked on Payton’s staff in New Orleans from 2016-20.
The Jets interviewed 15 candidates for their general manager role and 16 for their coaching position. The 33rd Team, created by former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and former Vikings and Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman, spearheaded the hiring process for both positions.
A former college tight end at San Diego State, Mougey began his post-playing career as a scouting intern for the Broncos in 2012. Over time, he eventually became George Paton’s right-hand man in Denver.
When Mougey was the Broncos’ assistant general manager, the team drafted and signed players such as Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto, Marvin Mims Jr., Riley Moss, D.J. Jones, and Mike McGlinchey. Denver was one of the more surprising teams in the NFL this season, finishing 10-7 and making the playoffs for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
Mougey and Glenn have a problematic task turning around a Jets team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010. Gang Green entered the 2024 season with high expectations but finished 5-12 and missed the postseason for the 14th consecutive year, which is the longest drought in North American sports. The Jets have had four different coaches since last recording a winning record in 2015 — Todd Bowles, Adam Gase, Robert Saleh and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced Saleh after he was fired on Oct. 8.
One of the first decisions the Jets will have to make is the status of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is currently deciding whether to return for a 21st season in the league. Rodgers has zero guaranteed money remaining on his contract, and if he retires or is released, the Jets would take a $49 million salary cap hit, which they could choose to spread across two seasons.
Gang Green must also decide whether to exercise the fifth-year options on cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who were all selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.