The NY Jets will embark on a quest to find a new head coach this offseason. It's a challenge the organization has faced countless times over the course of its history, and this time, owner Woody Johnson is desperate to get it right.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich stepped in for the recently fired Robert Saleh last month and earned his first win on Thursday night against the Houston Texans. Ulbrich could be in the mix for a job, but barring a miracle postseason run, he won't be seen as a favorite.
Various candidates have already been discussed as possible options for the Jets, ranging from former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. But what if the Jets went a different route?
What if Johnson wanted to make the biggest splash possible and went all-in on one of the most contentious names in the coaching world? We're talking about Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
Would the NY Jets consider hiring Deion Sanders to be their next head coach?
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt recently put together a list of potential head coach candidates for the Jets, and Sanders was a surprise addition. The former All-Pro cornerback has garnered quite the reputation coaching in the college ranks, but there are rumors he could consider a move to the NFL.
Rosenblatt offered his rationale for why Sanders could make sense for the Jets.
"Jets owner Woody Johnson wants to sell tickets above all else, and Sanders is about as flashy as coaching candidates come. The prospect of pairing Sanders with his son Shedeur, a potential first-round quarterback, might appeal to the Jets owner. That’s not to say this would be a good idea — it would become an even bigger circus around here. But it can’t be ruled out completely."
- Zack Rosenblatt
Sanders would undoubtedly put even more eyeballs on a Jets team that has been the center of offseason headlines since acquiring Aaron Rodgers in 2023. As Rosenblatt notes, this would certainly be one way to sell tickets and add to the circus feel of the organization.
There's also the possibility that the Jets could pair Sanders with his son, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The younger Sanders is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in next year's 2025 NFL Draft, and his father has expressed interest in following him to the NFL.
Of course, hiring a coach to appease a quarterback who is not even on their roster is partially why the Jets are in the position they're in today. This move would also signal the end of Rodgers, Davante Adams, etc. in Florham Park.
It would be a complete organizational reset, although perhaps not one the majority of the fan base would be aligned on. Sanders has found success in college football, but his coaching style has been heavily criticized and it's not one that lends itself to NFL translation.
Still, as Rosenblatt insists, the idea can't be entirely ruled out. Woody Johnson will be looking for a high-profile, CEO-type head coach this offseason. He'll be looking for a coach who embodies his team and whose identity is transferred to his players.
That's Deion Sanders in a nutshell. He may not be the most likely or popular choice, but there's a world in which 'Coach Prime' is the next head coach of the New York Jets.
