The New York Jets have reportedly requested an interview with New Orleans Saints director of pro scouting Terry Fontenot about their vacant general manager position.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the update Wednesday, noting Fontenot has a “great reputation” after helping New Orleans “drastically improve its roster.”
A native of Louisiana, Fontenot has spent the past 16 seasons as a member of the Saints' organization, working his way up the ladder through the scouting department before being named director of pro scouting in 2013.
He played college ball as a safety at Tulane 1999-2002 before joining the Saints.
The Jets' search for a new general manager comes after a somewhat surprising decision to fire Mike Maccagnan on May 15. The team waited until after key offseason decisions were made, including the draft and signing star running back Le'Veon Bell, before making the change.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that giving Bell a four-year, $52.5 million contract was one of the disagreements between Maccagnan and Adam Gase. The Jets' new head coach downplayed that rumor during a press conference last week, though.
If the Saints grant an interview, Fontenot will become the fifth candidate for the Jets' GM job. Other candidates include Philadelphia Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas, Chicago Bears assistant vice president of player personnel Champ Kelly, Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton and Seattle Seahawks co-director of player personnel Scott Fitterer.
The Jets have not announced a timetable to making the hire.
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