Did the New York Jets avoid catastrophe?
After interviewing 15 candidates, the Jets ultimately hired former Denver Broncos assistant general manager Darren Mougey as the organization’s next GM. Mougey was one of three finalists for the job, earning a second interview alongside Cincinnati Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown and Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark.
While Mougey came out on top, Newmark was viewed as the favorite at one point. He was the first candidate to land a second interview, doing so on the same day as eventual head coach Aaron Glenn. Considering his ties to Glenn from Detroit, Newmark seemed to have the job in his grasp. However, Newmark left New York without a deal, which prompted the Jets to call Brown and Mougey back in for second interviews.
According to SportsKeeda’s Tony Pauline, many around the league firmly believe the Jets “dodged a bullet” by not hiring Newmark.
Citing NFL sources he spoke with at the Shrine Bowl in Texas, Pauline reported, “Many believed the Jets dodged a bullet not signing Lance Newmark, who seemed like a shoo-in for the job just last week. While Newmark has had a good run recently as an assistant with the Washington Commanders after coming over from the Detroit Lions, people say his overall body work has been terrible.”
Newmark started his career as an executive in 1998, serving as a player personnel assistant with the Detroit Lions. He spent over 25 seasons in Detroit, serving in the following roles:
- Scout (1999-2007)
- Assistant Director of College Scouting (2008-14)
- Director of College Scouting (2015-16)
- Director of Player Personnel (2016-21)
- Senior Director of Player Personnel (2022-23)
Newmark joined the Commanders as their assistant general manager in 2024 under new GM Adam Peters.
According to Washington’s official website, Newmark reports directly to Peters while overseeing the organization’s personnel and scouting departments.
While the chatter around Newmark is negative, Mougey seems to be widely respected by those in the NFL. According to Pauline, “people here in Dallas say [Mougey is] a home-run hire. … People from Denver that I’ve spoken with say he’s smart, hard-working and knows talent.”
If these reports are accurate, the Jets made the right choice by passing on Newmark for Mougey.
