The Jets have shored up their new head coach and defensive coordinator, but an offensive coordinator still needs to be brought aboard. And on Friday, another potential candidate surfaced in Scott Linehan.
The Cowboys let Linehan know they are going in a different direction, and the decision comes merely days after head coach Jason Garrett said he didn't believe any big changes were coming to his staff for next season.
In an official statement, Garrett said it was mutual that both sides parted ways.
"This was not an easy decision because of how highly we regard Scott Linehan as a football coach and as a person," Garrett said. "He and I had some really positive, substantive and open discussinos which took place in the latter part of this week, and we ultimately agreed that it would be in the best interest of all parties involved if we were to make a change at this position.
"This was very much a mutual decision, and there was a great deal of common ground and shared understanding between both of us during our meetings. Scott has had an incredibly positive impact on our football team. He has been instrumental in the development and success of a significant number of our veteran and younger players. He is an outstanding football coach, a great friend and we wish him and his family nothing but the absolute best going forward."
With Linehan on the market now, could Adam Gase want to bring him on his staff? This past season, Linehan's Cowboys offense was ranked 22nd in the league in yards (348.8 per game) and scoring (21.2). While Dallas' ground game was strong -- ranking 10th with 122.7 rushing yards per game -- their success through the air wasn't as good. They finished 23rd with 221.1 yards per game for QB Dak Prescott.
That doesn't look too good for Linehan, especially given the emphasis on Sam Darnold. But he led the 14th-ranked offense in 2017 and fifth-best in 2016. Starting as an OC with the Vikings in 2002, Linehan has also coached the Lions, Rams, and Dolphins over his career.
At the moment, the top candidate for the position is Dowell Loggains, who served under Gase in Miami as his OC. Loggains interviewed for the head coach vacancy with the Dolphins, but the job was handed off to Brian Flores, leaving Loggains still available. Stan Drayton, University of Texas' running game coordinator and assistant head coach, is also an intriguing name having worked under Gase before.