There are some new faces in the AFC East.
The New York Jets reportedly hired former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as their next head coach Tuesday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported. Bowles replaces Rex Ryan, who was fired after the Jets finished 4-12 on the season.
The Cardinals hired Bowles to run their defense in 2013, and since then, they’ve allowed just 19.5 points per game, which is good for fifth in the league. This season, he helped lead Arizona’s banged-up defense into a playoff spot.
Bowles is familiar with his new division, too. He served as assistant head coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2008 to 2011 and was interim head coach for the final three games of the 2011 season after Tony Sparano was fired.
Bowles will be working under general manager Mike Maccagnan, who the Jets also hired Tuesday. Maccagnan has been a scout for 25 years but has spent most of his career with the Houston Texans. He joined the Texans when they entered the NFL as an expansion team in 2002.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
