John Idzik Fired by Jets: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

After a poor 2014 NFL season that saw the New York Jets once again fail to reach the playoffs, the team fired general manager John Idzik on Monday. 

Jets owner Woody Johnson officially announced the decision on the team website:

"

After extensive thought and reflection about the current state of our football team, this morning I informed Rex Ryan and John Idzik that they will not be returning for the 2015 season. Both Rex and John made significant contributions to the team, and they have my appreciation and gratitude for their efforts and commitment. Over the years, Rex brought the Jets a bold confidence and a couple of great post-season runs, which all of us will remember.

I am beginning our search for new football leadership, effective immediately, with guidance and support from respected football experts, including Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf, two Super Bowl winners with decades of valuable experience.

We will consider all options to improve the Jets.

Getting the Jets back on track is my top priority, and today’s decisions are important steps towards achieving our goals.

"

On Sunday, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport provided names of some candidates who could replace Idzik: 

Idzik has made a series of missteps and miscalculations in his two years on the job.

Allowing the team to go into the season with Dee Milliner and Dimitri Patterson at cornerback, two players who weren't good enough or suited to Rex Ryan's defensive scheme, stands out. He drafted Geno Smith in 2013, who has been a disappointment this season. He signed also Michael Vick, who was arguably even more disappointing this season.

Many will point to the fact he passed on a number of rookie wideouts to pair with Eric Decker who have proven to be productive players, including Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews, Jarvis Landry, John Brown and Martavis Bryant, to name a few.

The team's 2014 draft class in general underwhelmed this season, and Idzik traded for Percy Harvin in midseason, a player who simply hasn't produced as much as expected.

It hasn't been all misses for Idzik, of course, as he nailed the Sheldon Richardson pick in 2013. And it's too soon to definitively judge the 2014 draft class as well. Still, that hasn't stopped Jets fans from voicing their displeasure with the general manager this season, to the point that some fans flew a banner requesting he be fired.

Rich Cimini of ESPN tweeted a picture of the banner in December:

The Jets will now turn to quickly identifying a new general manager and beginning their preparation for free agency and the NFL draft. The new general manager will certainly have his work cut out for him rebuilding this roster.

And Idzik will land on his feet. He's well-respected in NFL circles after spending six years as the vice president of football administration for the Seattle Seahawks before coming to the Jets,