Mike

Maccagnan

VP of Player Personnel Brian Heimerdinger was also canned on Wednesday. “I came to the decision to make a change after much thought and a careful assessment of what would be in the best long-term interests of the New York Jets,” CEO Christopher Johnson said in a statement. There had long been word of a rift between Maccagnan and new coach Adam Gase, which Gase tried to downplay last week, but this pretty much clears it up that something wasn’t working between the two. Maccagnan spent four years on the job, with the Jets going 10-6 his first season only to string together a 14-34 record 2016-2018. Maccagnan’s drafts left a lot to be desired, especially his 2016 one that netted Darron Lee, Christian Hackenberg, and Jordan Jenkins in the first three rounds. Sam Darnold fell into the Jets’ laps last year. Not finding any sort of edge rushing presence year in and year out was a major blunder. Gase is the interim GM while the Jets search for a replacement.

There were reports of friction between Maccagnan and Adam Gase, but Maccagnan said he has a “very good working relationship with Adam.” Maccagnan’s leash may be short after surviving a coaching change, but it appears that he’ll make it through the 2019 offseason.

“Adam and I have worked very well together,” Maccagnan said at the Jets’ Day 2 press conference. “There are times where you work through the process. I’ve actually had a very good working relationship with Adam.” Reports surfaced that Maccagnan could be fired after the draft, but the Jets are denying any rift in their power structure. Despite surviving a coaching change earlier this offseason, Maccagnan isn’t a lock to keep his job.

The Jets wanted to trade back in the first round to get an extra Day 2 pick, but didn’t find any takers. A jump to the early second would suggest they’re targeting fallers like LSU CB Greedy Williams and Florida OT Jawaan Taylor, or a top-30 visit like Texas A&M OL Erik McCoy. Moving up that far would cost the Jets significant future picks.

“They seem to really, really want to move down,” added an anonymous NFL exec. “Maybe they’re just keeping their options open, but it sure seems like that No. 3 pick is for sale.” After trading the farm for Sam Darnold last year, the Jets hold just six picks in this year’s draft and would like to improve that haul if possible. Most experts are mocking Kyler Murray to the Cardinals at No. 1, but if Arizona goes in a different direction, Maccagnan’s phone will be ringing with plenty offers for the third pick.

“Not to say we’re committed to doing it,” Maccagnan added, “but we’d definitely be very intrigued by that.” Sticking at No. 3 would allow the Jets to fill a big pass-rushing need with either Ohio State’s Nick Bosa or Kentucky’s Josh Allen, but trading back makes more sense for a team with multiple needs. The best-case scenario for the Jets would be Kyler Murray or Dwayne Haskins still being available when it is their turn to pick, ensuring trade-up interest from quarterback-needy teams.

New York addressed its quarterback need by nabbing Sam Darnold in last year’s draft and though Gang Green could be tempted to add a defensive piece like Kentucky’s Josh Allen or Alabama DT Quinnen Williams next month, it sounds like the Jets are open for business at No. 3. The Jets hold just two of the first 68 picks in April’s draft and still have holes to fill at center, cornerback and outside linebacker. Cimini said his “gut” tells him New York would probably trade the third pick for a second-rounder this year and a first-rounder in 2020. The Broncos, Dolphins and Redskins are the most likely teams to trade up for a quarterback.

“Right now, we feel good at three, but I’d definitely say if there’s an opportunity to trade down, we would absolutely look at it,” Maccagnan said at the Combine. This isn’t a surprise —the Jets have a franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold and could benefit from multiple picks — but there’s not many teams looking to trade into the top-five this year. The Jets are hoping the No. 3 pick will be a move-up spot for someone like Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, or Dwayne Haskins.

Coach Todd Bowles seems all but certain to be fired after the season if he even makes it that far, but “Maccagnan’s job doesn’t appear to be in danger at all,” according to Vacchiano. After trading up for Sam Darnold in March, the Jets apparently want to see what Maccagnan can build with what should be over $100 million in cap space this spring.

Maccagnan added he thinks the Jets are in a position to “springboard this thing forward” with their expected cap space -- close to $100 million -- and draft picks. The Jets should do everything they can to take advantage of a quarterback on a rookie deal, and it looks like Maccagnan fully plans to be aggressive. Finding that quarterback some reliable weapons and a better offensive line would be a good first step.