The Jets are under scrutiny after hiring an executive they fired to help find a new GM and coach

The New York Jets have brought in a familiar face to help them find a general manager and head coach, but the move is a mystery to some because it involves a former manager the organization fired years ago.

According to the New York Post, former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and his “The 33rd Team” were hired by Gang Green to help them identify, screen and coordinate interviews and candidates for two high-level jobs.

The Jets gain a leg up on other teams that might find themselves in the same position after New York relieved Joe Douglas of his duties a few weeks after firing head coach Robert Saleh.

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Mike Tannenbaum (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/File)

Jets owner Woody Johnson will reportedly oversee the search, which will involve the 33rd team as well as other Jets executives still in the front office.

According to the Post, Tannenbaum and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman will be the “principal representatives” of the 33rd team, and the latter had a say in selecting a GM and coach for the Washington Commanders last season.

The Commanders appear to be in a great position following their hires prior to the 2024 campaign, bringing in Adams Peters as GM and Dan Quinn as their new head coach. Washington is currently in the playoff hunt in the NFC.

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The Post reports that in addition to helping with the search, the 33rd team will provide studies on best hiring practices, data analysis and more from the past five years.

While Spielman helped an organization last season, Tannenbaum is someone who knows what Johnson is looking for personally. He was GM of the Jets from 2006 to 2012 and oversaw the team’s roster during its most recent trip to the playoffs.

Tannenbaum was responsible for the lineup of Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and other Jets that led to those playoff seasons.

However, Tannenbaum’s 15-year tenure with the Jets ended after the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year in 2012. And some on social media couldn’t understand why New York was now letting someone they fired over a decade ago help them.

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, center, then-coach Rex Ryan, left, and then-GM Mike Tannenbaum (Kirby Lee/Image by Sports-USA TODAY Sports/File)

Some even thought Tannenbaum would “just end up setting himself up,” said one X user.

“That’s how stupid New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is,” another X user wrote. “He’s going back to Mike Tannenbaum to decide what’s best for their future as a franchise. His 57-55 record as GM of the Jets puts him below average at best.”

With Tannenbaum returning to help the Jets, some have even suggested that the team should get the band back together by hiring Rex Ryan and Tannenbaum returning to GM. Ryan mentioned on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” that he has “some unfinished business with this franchise.”

Since leaving the Jets, Tannenbaum served as executive vice president of football operations for the Miami Dolphins before joining ESPN as an analyst.

Mike Tannenbaum (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/File)

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The Jets have hired three GMs since Tannenbaum’s departure: John Izdik, Mike Macaggnan and Douglas, all of whom were unable to put together a roster to end the team’s playoff drought.

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