NY Jets must avoid repeating past coaching mistake amid unusual rumors

The NY Jets won't be hiring Bill Belichick as their next head coach due to their past animosity, but their desire for a proven leader with Super Bowl jewelry could lead them all the way back to one of their former head coaches in Pete Carroll.

Carroll, who coached the Jets once upon a time before Rich Kotite came in, was relieved of his duties as Seattle Seahawks head coach after the 2023 season. However, despite the fact Carroll is currently 73 years old, he is still eyeing one last chance at winning that second Super Bowl ring.

Insider Yogi Roth, who is close to the Carroll family, claims that Carroll, who is currently in an advisory role with Seattle, still wants to coach again, while mentioning the Chicago Bears as one possible destination. If Carroll is available and wants to get back, the Jets may certainly consider bringing him back.

This move would be a disaster. Carroll is a tremendous coach who has a shot at making the Hall of Fame, but he will be 74 in September. The Jets need to pursue younger alternatives who would be better for developing whomever they select as their quarterback of the future.

NY Jets must not consider hiring Pete Carroll as next head coach

Carroll, who was 31-31 as a coach with the Jets and Patriots before a very successful stint at USC that featured two national championships, went 137-89 as coach of the Seahawks. He won 10 playoff games along the way, won a Super Bowl, and was one yard short of winning a second one. His pedigree is undeniable, and he could hire a solid staff.

The negatives, however, are obvious, even if you take away the age questions. Carroll has won just one playoff game since the 2017 season despite often fielding one of the best rosters in the league. Furthermore, Carroll has a defensive background, which may not be ideal if the Jets draft a new quarterback.

The Jets would do well to hire a coach with past experience, but bringing in an older coach without an offensive background would be as much of a risk as hiring a first-time coach who has only been a coordinator before that. Carroll is past his prime.

Carroll could certainly be a very sexy option for the Jets, especially if a proven head coach like Mike Vrabel is unwilling to come to town. However, Carroll is not a long-term fix due to his age and outdated philosophies, which should prompt the Jets to look elsewhere for their next coach.

More NY Jets news and analysis: