General manager Mike Tannenbaum became the first casualty of the New York Jets’ disappointing season.
Tannenbaum, who has run the football operation since 2006, was fired Monday, owner Woody Johnson announced in a statement. Rex Ryan will remain as coach, according to Johnson.
A search for a new GM will commence immediately.
Johnson made the move after the Jets failed to make the playoffs for a second straight season. The Jets, undermined by poor quarterback play and a lack of playmakers on offense, stumbled to 6-10. Johnson said he informed Tannenbaum on Monday morning.
“Although he helped guide us to two consecutive AFC Championship Games, we are not where we want to be, and a new General Manager will be critical to getting this team back on the right track,” Johnson said in the statement.
Johnson said he has consulted with “a number of football executives,” adding that he has hired Korn/Ferry International, which will conduct the search for a new GM. It will be headed by Jed Hughes, who previously led the general manager search for the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson eliminated any doubt about Ryan’s future.
“I believe that he has the passion, the talent, and the drive to successfully lead our team,” Johnson said.
Ryan has two years and approximately $6 million remaining on his contract.
“Like all Jets fans, I am disappointed with this year’s results,” Johnson said. “However, I am confident that this change will best position our team for greater success going forward.”
It was a stunning fall for Tannenbaum, who was considered one of the NFL’s top young executives when the Jets reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010.
Since then, the talent base has eroded, leaving a roster filled with question marks and uncertainty at the quarterback position. The Jets are also saddled with several bad contracts.
In Tannenbaum’s seven seasons, the Jets went 57-55, made the postseason three times and won four playoff games. On his watch, they’ve had two head coaches, Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan.
Tannenbaum became known as “Trader Mike” for his aggressive deals. His biggest trade came in 2009, when he dealt for Brett Favre. Some of his better moves were drafting Darrelle Revis and trading for Antonio Cromartie.
But Tannenbaum also had some clunkers, none bigger than drafting Vernon Gholston in 2008 and making the controversial Tim Tebow trade. Tannenbaum predicted that Tebow would be a “dynamic” weapon in the offense, but it was an unmitigated disaster. The decision to extend Mark Sanchez’s contract last offseason also proved to be a poor decision.
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