Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. becomes 16th candidate to interview for Jets' head-coaching job

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., speaks during an NFL football news conference at Commanders Park in Ashburn, Va., Feb. 15, 2024. Credit: AP/Mnuel Balce Ceneta
Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. became the 16th known candidate to interview for the Jets’ head-coaching vacancy Sunday.
Whitt’s stock probably has never been higher after his defense’s performance in Washington’s stunning 45-31 win at Detroit in the NFC Divisional round Saturday night.
The Commanders forced five takeaways, including four interceptions, in reaching the NFC title game for the first time in 33 years. The previous week, Whitt’s group held Tampa Bay — the NFL’s fourth-highest-scoring offense — to 20 points in a Wild Card win.
This is Whitt’s first season as a defensive coordinator after 17 seasons of coaching in the NFL. He previously worked for Dallas under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. When Quinn was hired as the Commanders’ coach last year, he brought Whitt with him.
Whitt took over a defense that ranked last in yards allowed in 2023. The Commanders finished 13th this season and had the NFL’s third-ranked passing defense.
During Whitt’s three-year stint with the Cowboys as their defensive backs coach/defensive passing game coordinator, Dallas led the NFL with 59 interceptions. He held that same dual title for the Falcons and Browns.
Whitt’s teams have made the playoffs 12 times in 18 seasons.
The Jets are conducting a wide-ranging search for their next head coach and general manager. They have interviewed 15 known candidates for the GM role.
The only remaining known coaching candidate whom they have yet to interview is Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Buffalo hosted Baltimore in the Divisional round Sunday night.
The Jets are expected to narrow down their GM candidates to a handful of people and hold second interviews early this week. It’s conceivable that they will name a GM by midweek.
They also could begin holding second interviews with head-coaching candidates, and they may want to act quickly. Starting Monday, teams can hold in-person interviews with coaches who are under contract with other teams that are not in the playoffs.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have been linked to a number of jobs. With the Lions eliminated, Glenn and Johnson can be hired by another team.
Glenn is believed to be a leading candidate for the Jets’ coaching job. If he’s their guy, waiting could prove costly. The Saints and Cowboys are said to be high on Glenn, a former Jets first-round pick who played eight seasons with them.
The other coaches whom the Jets have interviewed are Ron Rivera, Mike Vrabel, Rex Ryan, Matt Nagy, Mike Locksley, Steve Spagnuolo, Darren Rizzi, Jeff Ulbrich, Vance Joseph, Arthur Smith, Bobby Slowik, Brian Flores, Jeff Hafley and Josh McCown. Flores, Smith and McCown also are considered names to watch for the Jets.
Two candidates are off the board. Vrabel is the Patriots' new coach and Ulbrich, the former Jets defensive coordinator and interim coach, was named the Falcons' defensive coordinator.
The Jets hired The 33rd Team to help in their searches. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and former Vikings GM Chris Spielman vetted the candidates, arranged the interviews and are taking part in them.
Owner Woody Johnson, Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson, Woody's brother, and team president Hymie Elhai also are sitting in on all interviews. Woody Johnson will have the final say on whom the Jets hire for both jobs.