FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The New York Jets interviewed former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel for the head coaching position at their facility on Friday, the team announced.

Vrabel, 49, is expected to be one of the most sought-after candidates in this year’s hiring cycle. He was available this week because his coaching and personnel consulting contract with the Cleveland Browns expired on Monday.

Former Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan will interview with team officials on Tuesday, a source told ESPN. Ryan coached the Jets from 2009 to 2014, compiling a 46-50 record and reaching the postseason in 2009 and 2010. Since then, the Jets haven’t made the playoffs – the NFL’s longest active drought in 14 years.

Vrabel was the second known candidate to apply for the position. On Thursday, the Jets met with former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera.

The Jets are looking to replace Robert Saleh, who was fired Oct. 8 after compiling a 20-36 record in more than three seasons as coach. They are 2-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who said Friday that he expects to have the opportunity to interview for the job next week.

Vrabel was released by the Titans on January 9, 2024 after spending six seasons with the team. He compiled a 54-45 record, made three postseason appearances and made the playoffs 2-3. He went 13-21 in his final two seasons in Tennessee, and his firing came a year after the Titans changed general managers and hired Ran Carthon.

The Jets (4-12) will end their disappointing season on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins – a season that also took a toll on general manager Joe Douglas, who was fired on Nov. 26.

They have already interviewed four candidates for their general manager job: former Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, former Titans GM Jon Robinson, Reese’s Senior Bowl general manager Jim Nagy and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick , who worked in the front offices of the Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Jets have assigned the 33rd team to provide data analysis and experience in the search for both positions. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman, who served as a consultant for the Commanders’ GM and coaching search last year, are leading the project for the 33rd team.