The Jets have said that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will be back with the team next year if he doesn’t get a head coaching job elsewhere in a variety of forums.
Rex Ryan said it in his season-ending press conference. Ryan and G.M. Mike Tannenbaum said it in a variety of radio interviews.
And yet no in New York seems to believe them.
ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini writes that he would be “stunned” if Schottenheimer is back with the team. Cimini believes Schottenheimer could make a lateral move before returning.
So what’s the delay?
The Jets reportedly want to save as much money as possible off Schottenheimer’s contract. He’s due $3.2 million over the next two years, which they would have to eat if they fired him.
The New York Post, meanwhile, has an article Sunday about a list of offensive coordinator candidates. Brian Costello reports that former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano and Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter have been targeted as potential replacements.
An ESPN report Saturday said that Sparano could get interest from the Jets.
The Jets can say they are just performing due diligence in case Schottenheimer gets a job elsewhere, but let’s be real. He had one interview (in Jacksonville) and he’s a longshot for that job.
It appears the Jets are greasing the skids for his exit.