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New York Jets looking for personnel-oriented GM

Rex Ryan has been joking to his staff members about his impending firing for weeks, and the coach is ready for the inevitable.

According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Jets are already preparing for a search for a new head coach and general manager, though neither Ryan nor John Idzik has been informed of their futures just yet.

Speaking Sunday on NFL GameDay First, Rapoport said the Jets are searching for a general manager with more of a personnel background. Idzik was known as a financial specialist.

The Jets believed they were tricked a little bit by Idzik spouting football knowledge he didn't really have, explaining the team's desire for outside help this time around, such as NFL Media's Charley Casserly and former Packers executive Ron Wolf.

One problem owner Woody Johnson might run into, though, is the fact that his quarterback situation with Geno Smith could scare off some potential candidates. Rapoport said one GM candidate "has expressed some nervousness" about it.

This is nothing new, of course. During the Jets' last search, they had a hard time attracting certain candidates due to the team's salary-cap situation and roster makeup. Several of their early favorites, like current Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell, ended up bolting for other jobs.

Rapoport gave names of four GM candidates the Jets hope to interview: George Paton (Vikings), Ryan Pace (Saints), Trent Kirchner (Seahawks) and Will McClay (Cowboys).

Breaking up with a general manager after just two seasons is unusual, but shows how desperate the Jets are for a turnaround. Perhaps this time, Johnson will realize that a surplus of draft picks and cap space does him no good without a general manager who knows how to use them.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews the biggest matchups in Week 17 and makes its picks for the last week of the season. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

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