Jets Telling GM Candidates That They Have To Keep HC Rex Ryan For A Year?

Rich Cimini of ESPN New York writes that “the word on the street” is that the Jets have been telling GM candidates that they will not be considered for the vacancy unless they’re willing to keep head coach Rex Ryan for a year.

Cimini takes a look at who could be the next general manager of the Jets. Tom Gamble of the 49ers, Tom Heckert formerly of the Browns, Marc Ross of the Giants, David Caldwell of the Falcons and John Dorsey of the Packers are all in play for New York.

Each of these men have met with other teams regarding GM vacancies, so the Jets aren’t guaranteed to secure any of them. The cap situation also makes them a less desirable option for someone that has alternative avenues available to them.

The decision to keep Rex could be related to money. Cutting him and paying a new coach would cost Jets’ ownership much more than seeing what Rex can do next year and then parting ways shortly after. Then again, there’s always the chance that ownership really likes Rex and wants to keep him around. Either way, 2013 will be a very big season for Ryan’s future in the NFL.