NY Jets: Do latest coaching rumors hint at the team’s quarterback plans?

Could the NY Jets’ latest coaching rumors hint at their quarterback plans?

The NY Jets have officially fired Adam Gase. This was an expected move and the rumors about who will be the team’s next coach have already begun.

The Jets reportedly have interest in Dan Mullen as the team’s next head coach. Mullen just finished his third season as the Florida Gators head coach. Mullen’s time at Florida and his history of developing quarterbacks should interest the Jets.

Mullen coached Dak Prescott at Mississippi State and helped Kyle Trask emerge as arguably the best quarterback in college football. He then took over a Florida team that went 4-7 the year before his arrival.

Florida was a complete mess when Mullen first took the job but he immediately had success. In his first two seasons, Florida finished the season ranked seventh and sixth respectively.

This season, Florida made an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and entered bowl season as the seventh-ranked team in the country.

As previously mentioned, Mullen coached Dak Prescott at Mississippi State and the two of them still keep in touch. If hired by the Jets, would Mullen want to bring Prescott to New York?

Could the NY Jets pursue Dak Prescott if they hire Dan Mullen?

I’m not saying the Jets should or shouldn’t pursue Prescott if Mullen gets the Jets coaching job, but the team currently lacks a proven franchise quarterback.

In his last healthy season, Prescott threw for 4,902 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while averaging 8.2 yards per pass attempt.

Despite that, the Cowboys haven’t given Dak Prescott a long-term contract, and the season-ending injury he suffered earlier this season could make his future in Dallas even more uncertain.

The Jets have the second overall pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. If they acquire Prescott, they could trade down and accumulate numerous picks to build around the former Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback.

The Jets could also decide to not acquire Prescott and use their second overall pick on a quarterback. However, the Jets might not be able to put that young quarterback in a position to succeed similar to what we’ve seen with Sam Darnold over the past three seasons.

It has been a decade since the Jets made the playoffs. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns’ recent playoff births, the Jets now have the longest postseason drought in the league.

It would take at least two years and possibly even longer for the Jets to contend if they start a rookie at quarterback next season. When will the Jets expect to be a winning team?

Acquiring Prescott and being able to surround him with talent by trading the second overall pick could immediately turn the Jets into a playoff team. I’m not saying Dak Prescott will be on the Jets next season.

However, this could be something to keep an eye on if the Jets hire Dan Mullen because he coached the current Dallas Cowboy at Mississippi State.