Jets Notes: GM Search, Le’Veon Bell, Darron Lee

GM Search

• Manish Mehta lists the GM candidates for the Jets as: 1) Eagles VP of Player Personnel Joe Douglas, 2) Lions Director of Player Personnel Lance Newmark, 3) 49ers VP of Player Personnel Adam Peters and 4) Bears assistant director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly.
• Albert Breer writes that Douglas is the “lead candidate” to replace Maccagnan and would be Gase’s pick. Although, Breer admits that there will be a lot for Douglas to consider before taking the Jets’ job.
• According to Breer, Sam Darnold will help to make the job attractive and it’s possible that ownership could make him a big-money offer that would be tough to pass up.

Le’Veon Bell

Jets RB Le’Veon Bell addressed the reports from Wednesday that HC Adam Gase didn’t want to sign him in free agency, at least not at the price they ultimately paid for him. 

“There’s been a BUNCH of false reports and speculation about me in the past about things I’ve said and done, so I’m used to this,” Bell tweeted. “I don’t jump to conclusions when I hear or see a story that may affect me.

“Even if reports are true, that won’t stop me from doing what I came here to do…everyone has a job to do, and I’m gonna do mine whether people “like” me or not. I’m here to win football games.”

• According to Albert Breer, there was a widespread belief in the Jets’ organization that the pursuit of Le’Veon Bell was spurred by ownership or that former GM Mike Maccagnan made the move because he knew that’s what the Johnsons wanted.
• However, Jets HC Adam Gase informed others in the building that he didn’t want Bell, but said that, if Bell signed, he’d be fine coaching him.
• Breer says that some saw this move by Gase as him distancing himself from the decision, while lining himself up for credit if it worked, which is something that occurred during his time with the Dolphins. 

Darron Lee

• As for Darron Lee, Breer says that the prior regime had discussed a trade with the Chiefs for weeks and was holding firm in asking for a fifth-round pick.
• However, shortly after the Jets fired Mike Maccagnan, the Chiefs called them up and offered a 2020 sixth-round pick for Lee and Adam Gase quickly finalized the deal. 

Jets

• Regarding ILB C.J. Mosley, Albert Breer been told that Gase had him No. 1 on his veteran wish list from the start and while they overpaid to get him, Gase viewed Mosley as the type of cultural tone-setter he wanted for his program. 
• According to Breer, the Jets’ coaches ranked Quinnen Williams above Houston DT Ed Oliver during the draft process only to “gush” over Oliver in meetings. Breer mentions that this was also seen as the coaches covering themselves on both ends of a decision.