Whenever the Philadelphia Eagles lose a valued front-office member, an NFL frenzy usually ensues to attract the newest available executive.
The New York Jets know this well. They got in the sweepstakes when Joe Douglas was hired as general manager in 2019.
Unfortunately for New York, Douglas’ time in Florham Park, N.J., didn’t end so well. His inability to find a long-term answer at quarterback and head coach ultimately cost him his job midway through the 2024 season.
Now, the Jets appear well-run thanks to Darren Mougey. But if Mougey is looking for more help in their analytics department, another Howie Roseman executive has made himself available around the league.
Better yet, this one has over a decade working with Roseman, as opposed to a short three-year stint with the Birds.
Potential fit with the Jets
Philadelphia was rocked on Tuesday with the announcement that assistant general manager Alec Halaby would be stepping down from his role with the team. New York actually interviewed Halaby when they searched for Douglas’ replacement last year, before deciding on Mougey.
With an extensive run in analytical development and a recent burst in the scouting scene, Halaby may be the kind of lieutenant Mougey and the Jets should want at this point in their rebuild.
Let’s first begin with three reasons why the Jets would be smart to pursue Halaby…
Reasons to pursue Halaby
1. Howie Roseman disciple
No general manager has been given a longer leash or has been as successful as Howie Roseman since taking over. He’s rebuilt the Eagles three times and has turned the roster into a Super Bowl team each time.
Any time an organization around the NFL can target an executive who has worked consistently with Roseman, in the way Halaby has specifically, they should do so.
Roseman’s executive tree is the largest in the league currently. Top executives like Andrew Berry and Ian Cunningham have top jobs for their teams. Others like Brandon Brown and Catherine Raîche are top assistants to other GMs now.
That’s precisely what the Jets should do as well with Halaby, even if they can’t give him the GM job right now.
2. Analytics-minded
Halaby comes from a solely analytical background. He was a key part of the Eagles, focusing their efforts on defensive linemen, offensive linemen, and receivers over other positions like running back, linebacker, and safety.
More importantly, though, Halaby showed his ability to adapt to the times. When Philadelphia overhauled its coaching staff in 2020, he adjusted his focus to understand the importance of the NFL Draft and making “easy” decisions instead of only drafting for intangibles or “roster fit.”
New York’s already brought in a strong analytics staff under Mougey, but Halaby can put that group to another level.
3. Offensive focused
New York’s front office focus has been more on the defensive side of the ball in recent years due to its coaching staff being built primarily on defensive-minded head coaches.
Halaby is of a different mind, though. Thanks to working with Roseman, he understands that in order to win football games, you have to score points. Building a team with top talent out wide, a dominant offensive line, and a quality quarterback should always be the focus for a team.
Halaby understands it. And he can help Mougey with that plan as well.
Reasons it wouldn’t happen
1. NFL brotherhood
Halaby wants a general manager job. He was close to getting multiple over the last few years. But a big reason why he hasn’t is simply due to the fact that the league doesn’t normally hire executives without true NFL experience.
Roseman is an exception to that rule, of course, but assistants need to have a strong background in scouting in order to be given consideration for top jobs.
And while Halaby appears destined to depart Philadelphia for a finance job, it’s hard to see another NFL team be willing to give him a chance while there are other candidates who have more of a football background.
2. Scouting questions
Without a true NFL background, Halaby can only be judged based on some of the successes and failures that the Eagles had during his tenure. Sure, he should be given credit for draft picks like cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, edge rusher Jalyx Hunt, and others like Jordan Mailata and Jalen Hurts; those can also be credited to Roseman, too.
Halaby has to weigh the struggles that have come, including Jalen Reagor in 2020, Andre Dillard in 2019, or Derek Barnett in 2017.
Is it fair? No. Halaby shouldn’t be judged poorly on the team’s misses any more than Roseman has. But without a strong football background, those misses that were analytics-based are going to be questions he’ll have to answer whenever he wants to get back to the NFL.
3. Darren Mougey
Mougey has already revamped the analytics department, and he’s shown to have a good eye for talent in the early rounds of drafts.
The only way the Jets would appear willing to move to bring in an assistant like Halaby would be if someone like Robbie Paton, the director of player personnel, or Sean Clement (Director of Football Analytics & Strategy) were to step down.
Mougey’s running a quality ship, and there’s no reason to seek drastic change just yet.
