While one of the Jets interview requests got rejected, it sounds like they got their way with another potential candidate. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports (via Twitter) that the organization will indeed interview Saints executive Terry Fontenot for their general manager opening.
We heard earlier this week that the Jets had put in a request in for Saints’ Director of Pro Scouting. New York had done the same for Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, although that executive ended up declining.
Fontenot isn’t as much of a household name as some of the Jets’ other candidates, but that doesn’t make him any less qualified for the position. The 38-year-old has spent the past 16 years with the Saints organization, including the last six in his current role. During that time, Fontenot has played a role in shaping a roster that’s made three playoff appearances, including a near-Super Bowl birth in 2018.
New York is searching for a new GM after firing Mike Maccagnan following the 2019 draft. For now, first-year head coach Adam Gase is running Gang Green’s personnel department as interim general manager, but the club wants to get a full-time executive in place.
The organization has been connected to a number of different names for the open position. Besides Fontenot, there seems to be three other major candidates for the opening: Scott Fitterer (Seahawks co-director of player personnel), Champ Kelly (Bears assistant director of player personnel), and Joe Douglas (Eagles vice president of player personnel). Douglas appears to be the favorite for the position.