Jets Request Interviews with Matt Nagy, Brian Griese for Head Coach Role

The New York Jets have submitted requests to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese for their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple reports. The Jets are seeking a replacement for Robert Saleh, who was dismissed after a disappointing 2024 season.

Matt Nagy, 46, previously served as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2018 to 2021, compiling a 34-31 regular-season record and leading the team to two playoff appearances. However, the Bears failed to win a postseason game under his leadership. Nagy returned to the Chiefs in 2022 as a senior offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach before reclaiming the offensive coordinator role in 2023. His familiarity with the Jets’ organization stems from his time as an offensive quality control coach under Andy Reid in Philadelphia, where current Jets general manager Joe Douglas also worked.

Brian Griese, 49, has been the 49ers’ quarterbacks coach since 2022, leaving a successful broadcasting career to return to coaching. Griese has played a pivotal role in the development of quarterback Brock Purdy, a seventh-round pick who has emerged as a standout performer for San Francisco. Griese’s NFL playing career spanned 11 seasons, including stints with the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Chicago Bears.

The Jets are conducting an extensive search for their next head coach, with Nagy and Griese joining a list of candidates that reportedly includes Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. The team is seeking a leader who can revitalize a franchise that has not reached the playoffs since 2010.

Nagy’s experience as a head coach and his success with the Chiefs’ high-powered offense make him a compelling candidate. Meanwhile, Griese’s work with Purdy and his ability to develop young talent could appeal to a Jets team looking to maximize the potential of quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Jets have not announced a timeline for their hiring process, but interviews are expected to begin in the coming days. The team is under pressure to make a decision quickly, as several other NFL teams are also searching for new head coaches.