Report: Jets Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine Turns Down Extension
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- So let's get this straight.
Tim Tebow won't be back with the Jets next season and Mark Sanchez might be trade bait, according to multiple reports.
On top of that, there's no certainty regarding the futures of general manager Mike Tannenbaum, coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.
And now the one guy that was offered a chance to stick around has reportedly turned down a contract extension.
Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine "will effectively become a free agent after the season," Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported Friday.
"When you look at all the holes and the problems that this team has had ... the defense has really been the stabilizing force," Mehta told WFAN radio. "I think it's a significant blow if he does not come back as the coordinator."
Pettine's contract is set to expire after the 2012 season. New York's defense ranked No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 from 2009-11.
Pettine's squad kept the Jets in the playoff hunt despite losing Darrelle Revis -- not to mention New York's woes on the offensive side of the ball. The Jets were eliminated in a horrific loss Monday night, during which quarterback Mark Sanchez committed five turnovers.
"I think he's highly thought of around the league. I think he's a potential head coaching candidate," Mehta told WFAN of Pettine. "You're going to kind of have to see how the dominoes fall in terms of head coaching positions and coordinator positions.
"But again, this is a guy who Rex Ryan has trusted from the jump. And I think that's an overlooked part of this season."
Just another day for the Jets. Sound off in the comments!
