An early favorite has emerged in the NY Jets OC search

The NY Jets are searching for their next offensive coordinator after the team opted to part ways with Mike LaFleur on Wednesday after a lackluster two years with the organization.

The Jets are expected to cast a large net (coaching carousel buzz phrase, I know) with their offensive coordinator search and are even exploring a major offensive philosophy change. They're not limiting themselves to coaches with ties to the current staff or the Shanahan system.

Still, having connections always helps, and that's the case with the perceived early favorite in the offensive coordinator search: Darrell Bevell.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported on Wednesday that he had heard Bevell's name "the most" in connection to the Jets' offensive coordinator job. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt also insisted that Bevell was a name "to keep an eye on" in the coming weeks.

Darrell Bevell makes a ton of sense for the NY Jets

In many ways, Bevell is exactly what the Jets are looking for in their next offensive coordinator. His resume boasts over 20 years of NFL experience including 15 years as an offensive coordinator in the league.

He helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl during his very successful seven-year tenure with the organization. His work since then, however, has been uninspiring.

Bevell found some success in Detroit but was ultimately a victim of Matt Patricia's failed tenure as head coach. The less said about his one-year run in Jacksonville in 2021, the better.

Bevell spent the 2022 season with the Miami Dolphins serving as the team's quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. His experience both in the NFL and with Saleh (dating back to their Seattle days) makes him an obvious candidate.

Now, Bevell wouldn't exactly be the most exciting candidate. He's a retread offensive coordinator whose best days might be behind him, at least as far as his recent stints with Detroit and Jacksonville are concerned.

But he's an experienced coach who has been around a while and helped develop quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and, more recently, Tua Tagovailoa. That might carry some weight for the folks at One Jets Drive.

While the Jets aren't married to a scheme or prior connection, it certainly doesn't hurt that he's crossed paths with Saleh in the past either. Connections go a long way in this business.

The Jets likely aren't going to rush into any offensive coordinator hire, but Darrell Bevell seems like the early favorite for the job if rumors and speculation are to be believed.