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Deion Sanders Has Request For New York Jets Amid General Manager Search

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 3, 2025 10:24 AM ET

The New York Jets are in the midst of a complete organizational rebuild, and it's starting from the top with the head coach and general manager. After firing Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, the Jets are looking toward the future.

In an effort to find a new GM, the team has interviewed ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders sent a message to the Jets about Riddick's interview, and what he believes may come from it.

"Jets Please don’t mess this up and I pray this was a real interview and not that other thang y’all do. This man deserves a REAL CHANCE! He is knowledge & Class personified," Sanders said, endorsing Riddick as a real candidate for the job.

Jets Please don’t mess this up and I pray this was a real interview and not that other thang y’all do. This man deserves a REAL CHANCE! He is knowledge & Class personified! #CoachPrime https://t.co/Y1yrNDD4BB
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) January 3, 2025

Riddick has years of experience in and around the NFL. He played in the league as a defensive back from 1991 through 1998 before working in multiple front-office roles.

Riddick has been a scout as well as a director of pro personnel for both the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles organizations. Since joining ESPN as an analyst, Riddick has become a top voice in the NFL world. He has interviewed for general manager positions in the past, most notably with the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Jets are looking to turn things around after yet another season outside of the AFC playoff picture. This will be their 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance, the longest active drought among the four major American professional sports leagues.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: ESPN analyst Louis Riddick looks on before the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Jets are likely to move on from Aaron Rodgers after a miserable two-year stint with the former MVP. Rodgers missed almost all of last season with an Achilles injury, and failed to put the Jets in a positive situation this season after returning.

For Sanders, he'll look to rebuild after seeing his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman winner Travis Hunter move on to the NFL Draft. The Buffaloes were able to make a major signing at quarterback in Julian Lewis, who will compete to take the starting job in Shedeur's absence next season.

We'll see how the Jets' search for a head coach and general manager goes over the next few weeks and months, but it's clear that Sanders believes Riddick has done enough in his career to deserve real consideration.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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