NY Jets: Doug Pederson is a ‘name to watch’ this offseason

The NY Jets could look to hire Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.

The NY Jets are going to be looking for a new head coach this offseason — that much is inevitable at this point. And when they do, one individual to keep an eye on is current Philadelphia Eagles head coach, Doug Pederson.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini speculated on Sunday that the Jets could have interest in Pederson this offseason whether the Eagles move on or not. It should be noted that this is speculation, not a report, but it does make some degree of sense.

Pederson’s track record speaks for itself with a Super Bowl ring in 2017, but it’s his connection with an important member of the Jets’ front office that has rumors flying.

General manager Joe Douglas spent three years in Philadelphia with Pederson serving as the team’s vice president of player personnel. Both arrived in the same year, both won a championship together in 2017, and both formed a friendship with one another.

Now, with Pederson potentially on the outs, could a reunion be in store? As Cimini insisted, “you can already hear the rumblings in league circles.”

The NY Jets could definitely be interested in Doug Pederson

Pederson has struggled to repeat the success of that magical 2017 season and has fallen on hard times in 2020. Carson Wentz has struggled mightily — due in part to poor coaching — and the Eagles currently sit with a 3-7-1 record.

Somehow, they’re still in the playoff hunt in a dreadful (but upset-heavy) NFC East, but they’re a bad team. A very bad team. Pederson has been criticized for his handling of the quarterback situation and his inability to develop Wentz.

But there will certainly be some interest from teams looking for a head coach that has found prior success in the league, even if things haven’t gone quite as well over the last few years.

Cimini also speculated that the Eagles might even look to trade Pederson and receive compensation in return. It’s hard to imagine his trade value being particularly high given his recent struggles, but perhaps a team will be desperate enough to pull the trigger.

Perhaps that team is the Jets who could be longing for a Douglas/Pederson reunion in New York.

There is something to be said about having chemistry between a head coach and general manager. We’ve seen in the past that forced marriages typically don’t work out.

Whether between Joe Douglas and Adam Gase, John Idzik and Rex Ryan, or any of the many forced relationships between prior GM’s and head coaches. Hiring someone who already knows Douglas and is friends with him could be a wise decision.

But on the other end of the spectrum, there are plenty of other coaches who have found more recent success than Pederson. Given how Eagles fans are desperate to run him out of town, the Jets could probably do better.

Nonetheless, Pederson is someone to keep a close eye on this offseason, especially if the Eagles ultimately fire him.