Jets interview Mike Vrabel; Rex Ryan talk set, per source

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets interviewed former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel on Friday at their facility for the head coaching vacancy, the team announced.

Vrabel, 49, is expected to be among the most coveted candidates in this year’s hiring cycle. He was available this week because his coaching and personnel consulting contract with the Cleveland Browns expired Monday.

Former Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan will interview with team officials on Tuesday, a source told ESPN. Ryan coached the Jets from 2009 to 2014, compiling a 46-50 record and reaching the postseason in 2009 and 2010. The Jets haven’t reached the playoffs since then — the NFL’s longest active drought at 14 years.

Vrabel was the second known candidate to interview for the vacancy. On Thursday, the Jets met with former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera.

The Jets are looking to replace Robert Saleh, who was fired Oct. 8 after compiling a 20-36 record in three-plus seasons as the coach. They are 2-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who said Friday that he expects to have an opportunity to interview for the job next week.

Vrabel was fired by the Titans on Jan. 9, 2024, after six seasons with the team. He compiled a 54-45 record, making three postseason appearances and going 2-3 in the playoffs. He was 13-21 in his final two seasons in Tennessee, and his firing came a year after the Titans changed general managers, hiring Ran Carthon.

The Jets (4-12) will close out their disappointing season Sunday against the Miami Dolphins — a season that also claimed general manager Joe Douglas, who was fired Nov. 26.

They have already interviewed four candidates for their general manager vacancy: former Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, former Titans GM Jon Robinson, Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who worked in the front offices of the Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Jets have retained The 33rd Team to provide data analysis and experience in their searches for both positions. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman, who served as an adviser for the Commanders’ GM and coaching searches last year, are leading the project for The 33rd Team.