The New York Jets signed Todd Bowles to a multiyear head coaching contract late on Tuesday night. Bowles previously served as defensive coordinator under Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians.
Woody Johnson and the Jets originally had eyes on Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, but Seattle doesn't look like it's playoff run is going to end anytime soon, and the team felt they couldn't afford to keep the position vacant much longer.
How does the Jets' decision fair when compared to other teams searching for a head coach this off-season? Here's an unscientific ranking of how each team has done thus far.
6. Falcons
The Falcons had a chance to land Rex Ryan, but let it slip away due to their own hesitation. Ryan wanted to come to Atlanta, and he would've been highly valuable to a defense that finished in the bottom five of the league last season. This is a team that should look at Quinn if they're willing to be patient.
5. 49ers
In no uncertain terms, letting Harbaugh walk was a disaster. It's hard to imagine the Niners will find any coach as good as him to be his replacement. Now, the lure of his alma mater Michigan may have been too strong no matter what, but leaving for Ann Arbor was a no-brainer once the San Francisco front office made it clear they wanted him out.
4. Bears
The Bears had a bad 2014 but they're an appetizing job. Doug Marrone, Mike Shannahan, and John Fox are all rumored to be interested in Chicago. Whoever they hire will have to find a way to get the most out of quarterback Jay Cutler, because he contract remains untradeable.
3. Raiders
Reports Wednesday indicate that the Raiders will sign former Broncos DC Jack Del Rio to be their new coach. Del Rio is a Bay Area guy who had middling success as a longtime Jaguars coach. Not a world-beating hire, but a solid pick-up nonetheless.
2. Jets
By all accounts, Bowles was an excellent coordinator who is well liked by his players. Defense have never been the Jets' problem though. Bowles will rely on his new coordinator, Chan Gailey, to try and breathe life into Geno Smith and the rest of Gang Green's moribund offense. Bowles also has a few games of head coaching experience, having served three games for the Dolphins as an interim coach in 2011.
1. Bills
Once Harbaugh left for the college ranks, Rex Ryan became the best available coach on the market. He now belongs to the Bills. He'll have a field day with a dominant Bills front-7 that's led by Mario Williams. The Bills don't have a franchise quarterback (which may give Ryan flashbacks to Sanchez and Smith in New York), but they have two excellent running backs. Ryan is a ground and pound guy.
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