While everyone is getting ready to sip on some Eggnog tonight on Christmas Eve, Jets CEO Christopher Johnson is busy playing damage control after rumors his football club has a strong interest in Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh got out to the press.
Johnson, who has been in charge of the franchise the past two years since his brother Woody became the United States Ambassador to England under President Donald Trump, said Monday, "Todd Bowles is our head coach. There is no truth to the report of our interest in Jim Harbaugh."
What does this quote mean? Is it an endorsement of Todd Bowles? Does this mean the Jets really have "no interest" in Jim Harbaugh?
Honestly the answers are very likely: no, it's not an endorsement of Todd Bowles. And yes, the Jets do have an interest in Harbaugh, but they aren't going to publicly flaunt it with Bowles still under the title of Head Coach.
Although it is odd that an owner would come right out and shoot down rumors of a coaching change so quickly. As was pointed out by the New York Post's Brian Costello on Twitter, Johnson could have said nothing, because most owners never speak about any coaching rumors during the season ... ever. Also, let us not forget after the Jets 41-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, Johnson refused to answer any questions regarding Todd Bowles's future. As we know the silence meant that Bowles would remain as HC of the NYJ through the rest of the season.
While the Jets have played better of late, they are 1-4 since that Buffalo meltdown, and stand at 4-11 on the season. With the season finale in Foxboro on Sunday against a Patriots team playing for a playoff bye, it stands to reason this season will end at 4-12. Bowles would be 14 - 34 over his final 48 games as head coach, certainly not worthy of returning.
But let's play Devil's Advocate here for second. While many assume Bowles will be a goner a week from today, there is no guarantee it will happen. If the Johnson Brothers keep him around another year they could use injuries, a lack of depth at the skill positions and the development of a rookie quarterback as excuses. Jets fans won't like it, but it wouldn't be the first time.
The Jets desperately need a new leader who can instill discipline and focus on this football team. Watching the Jets get flagged 16 times yesterday was more of an indictment of the lack of discipline instilled by Bowles, a problem that has persisted for years. They also need someone who can groom quarterback Sam Darnold into a top flight NFL starting quarterback. He's on his way, but he needs more help.
Regarding Harbaugh, the Jets have flirted with him twice before in 2009 and 2015, and got nowhere as Harbaugh took jobs with the 49ers and Michigan respectively. He would give the Jets the offensive minded coach they are looking for, and he has a reputation of winning big right away wherever he goes. He turned Stanford around into a top 25 team when he was there, and turned the San Francisco 49ers into a perennial playoff team during his four year tenure. At Michigan, while he hasn't beaten Ohio State, the program is better off today then it was before Harbaugh arrived in Ann Arbor.
At the same time, Harbaugh developed a cantankerous reputation, and tends to rub people the wrong way like he did in San Francisco. He is someone who doesn't stay long once he arrives.
If he came here, the Jets would have to make a lot of guarantees to Harbaugh, as some have speculated they would match the $7 million-a-year that Harbaugh gets paid annually from Michigan, which is absolutely insane for a head coach.
Perhaps the Jets kicked the tires again on Harbaugh, and he already told them, "Thanks, but no thanks." Harbaugh has already told the press that he intends on staying at Michigan for the foreseeable future.
He maybe telling the truth, or it could be all subterfuge. Only those intimately involved know the truth.
If he did say no, perhaps the Jets have turned their focuses to other candidates like former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
The game of musical coaching chairs has already begun at 1 Jet Drive.
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