Dawn Aponte for Jets GM? Meet NFL Chief Football Administrative Officer tipped to replace Joe Douglas

Before their Week 12 bye, the New York Jets parted ways with general manager Joe Douglas. He guided the organization through six straight losing seasons without postseason football, and it is now looking for a new GM.

According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Jets' hunt for a new general manager, which is believed to be facilitated by former GMs Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, is concentrating on unconventional applicants, such as Dawn Aponte, the current NFL chief administrator of football operations.

It should be mentioned that if Aponte is eventually appointed by the Jets, they will be creating history as the NFL has never had a female general manager. Additionally, only once before has a female held that role in all four major sports in North America.

In that light, let's check out who Dawn Aponte is.

Who is Dawn Aponte? The prospective Jets GM

Born and raised on Staten Island, New York, Dawn Aponte studied accounting at the University of Delaware, earning a B.S. degree in accounting in 1993. She also did an MBA and passed law school. She spent 11 years with the New York Jets from 1994 to 2005, starting as an intern accountant and rising to the position of senior director of football operations in 2005.

According to reports, Mike Tannenbaum, Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick served as mentors for Aponte during her time with the Jets.

In 2006, Dawn Aponte joined the NFL's management council as vice president of labor finance, a role she held until 2009 when she joined the Cleveland Browns as vice president of football administration and chief contract negotiator.

Aponte spent six years with the Miami Dolphins after leaving the Browns, serving as executive vice president of football administration and senior vice president of football operations. She had some impact there before returning to the NFL in 2017 to work as a chief administrator of football operations, making her the highest-ranking female in NFL football administration.

Aponte is married to her husband, Kevin, and the couple has four children.

In January 2024, Aponte interviewed for the LA Chargers' open general manager post, which Joe Hortiz was ultimately hired for.

Aponte may be a favorite for the Jets' vacant general manager role since she reportedly still maintains close ties to the team, having worked there from 1991 until 2005.

In essence, Dawn Aponte has nearly 30 years of NFL experience, is highly respected in the league, and, should she not be hired by the New York Jets, will probably attract more general manager consideration in the future.