NFL insider delivers eye-opening prediction for next Jets HC 

Following a 2-3 start this season, the New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the regular season. The Jets, who ended the season 5-12, are on the lookout for a new head coach, scheduling interviews with numerous candidates.

ESPN insider Dan Graziano predicts Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could land the gig. The Jets are one of two teams to request an interview with Smith, and according to Graziano, the team wanted to hire him in 2021. Graziano wrote (via ESPN):

"Smith was a candidate of interest to Jets owner Woody Johnson back in 2021, when the team hired Saleh. But at the time, Johnson was serving as ambassador to the United Kingdom and was not directly involved in the search. The Jets also considered bringing in Smith and adding him to their offensive staff last year before the Steelers hired him as their coordinator."

"In the past, Johnson has been known to lock in a bit on his personal favorites. Remember, he lost out to the Dolphins on Adam Gase in 2016, then hired Gase three years later after the Dolphins fired him. But with limited information about who might be the front-runner at this point, I'll take Smith. For most of this season, he found a way to make some pretty effective chicken salad out of a not-great QB situation in Pittsburgh."

The Saints are the other team that has requested to interview Arthur Smith.

He helped the Steelers offense with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterbacks. The team made the playoffs but was knocked out by the Ravens in the wild-card round.

Rex Ryan "highly unlikely" to land New York Jets head coaching gig

Rex Ryan during Bears at Jets - Source: Getty

While Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could land the head coaching gig for the New York Jets, Rex Ryan is "highly unlikely."

The team has reportedly interviewed Ryan, a current ESPN analyst who coached the Jets from 2009-2014, but according to NFL reporter Connor Hughes, it's that the team will offer the position to Ryan.

"I’ve heard this is highly, highly, highly unlikely to happen. One source actually told me there is no chance ... So now, after an eight-year break, he’s ready to take back over as head coach? Come on now," Hughes said.

The Jets have been linked to many coaches thus far this offseason. The list includes Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.

They also interviewed 13 different candidates for their open general manager position.