NY Jets kickstart their GM search by hiring Mike Tannenbaum to help

The NY Jets are bringing back a familiar face to help lead their all-important search for a new general manager and head coach this offseason. Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has been hired to help assist in the process.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the Jets have hired The 33rd Team, an NFL Technology and Media company, to "support them" on their upcoming search for a new regime.

Tannebaum will be joined by former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as leaders on the project as the Jets search for replacements in the post-Robert Saleh and post-Joe Douglas eras.

While it's always easy to clown the Jets and Tannenbaum's involvement is ironic, this is probably a wise decision on the part of Woody Johnson.

Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman can help NY Jets make correct GM and HC decisions

Tannenbaum famously spent seven years as the Jets GM from 2006 to 2012 and had previously worked with the team since 1997. He would later go on to serve as the executive vice president of football operations of the Miami Dolphins before leaving the NFL to enter the media world.

Spielman also has ample NFL experience, previously serving as Dolphins GM for a season before a 10-year stint in Minnesota. He was also notably a leader in the search committee that helped the Washington Commanders hire Adam Peters and Dan Quinn this past offseason.

The Jets have tried the external hiring firm approach in the past, defaulting to non-football people for the hiring of disgraced former GM John Idzik. They trusted ex-GM Charley Casserly in 2015, ultimately resulting in the hiring of a Casserly protege in Mike Maccagnan.

The addition of Tannenbaum may raise eyebrows among Jets fans, but the former GM has hired three different head coaches who have made the postseason and, more importantly, has a ton of connections around the NFL.

Spielman's connections were a large reason why the Commanders were able to land their top GM choice last offseason. This is likely a more fruitful strategy than bringing on an external hiring firm with zero NFL connections.

The jokes write themselves. "Jets hire their own failed former GM to help hire their next failed GM." The Jets make themselves easy targets for criticism, but this move shouldn't be treated as such.

Woody and Christopher Johnson are delegating hiring responsibilities to two football guys with plenty of NFL connections — that's a good thing for the Jets organization.

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