3 NY Jets GM candidates emerging as favorites ahead of final interviews

The NY Jets set out to conduct one of the most conductive searches for a new general manager that the NFL has seen in quite some time, and they managed to accomplish just that. In total, the Jets interviewed a whopping 15 different candidates for their vacant GM position.

The Jets' GM search has stretched over two months since they fired former general manager Joe Douglas in late November. As we approach the end of January, however, it seems we're finally nearing a resolution.

In an appearance on ESPN's The Anita Marks Show this weekend, Jets insider Rich Cimini revealed three candidates who have seemingly emerged as the favorites ahead of the team's second round of interviews.

Cimini reported that Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg, Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, and Philadelphia Eagles general manager Alec Halaby are "getting the most buzz" of any of the Jets GM candidates.

NY Jets GM search should come to an end this week

The Jets wrapped up their first round of general manager interviews last week, with expectations that the second round could begin as soon as today. Cimini believes the Jets could announce their GM hire sometime this week.

Greenberg has spent the last 15 years in the Buccaneers organization, working his way up from a player personnel assistant to the team's assistant general manager. A Long Island native, Greenberg notably worked with the Jets as an intern during Mike Tannenbaum's tenure with the team.

Sullivan has been with the Packers since 2003 and primarily comes from a scouting background. He spent the first 13+ years working in Green Bay's scouting department before taking on a large role as the co-director of player personnel in 2018.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported earlier this month that Sullivan was "the scout who first put Jordan Love on [Packers GM Brian] Gutekunst’s radar." He also worked closely with the salary cap in Green Bay and was a part of the team's contract negotiations with head coach Matt LaFleur.

As for Halaby, he's been Eagles general manager Howie Roseman's right-hand man since taking over as assistant GM in 2022. Halaby has an extensive background in analytics and is seen as one of the most forward-thinking executives in the NFL.

SNY's Connor Hughes insists it would take a "very progressive owner" to take a chance on Halaby but that people around the league believe that the way he "views team building is the future of [the] game."

Jets fans should have a clearer idea as to who the true finalists are for the Jets general manager position in the coming days once a second round of interviews is completed. Don't be surprised if one of Greenberg, Sullivan, or Halaby ultimately lands the job.

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