Jets fire GM Maccagnan, name HC Gase interim replacement

The New York Jets fired general manager Mike Maccagnan on Wednesday and named first-year head coach Adam Gase his interim replacement.

"Mike helped to execute the strategic vision of the organization during the last four seasons and especially the last few months," Jets chairman Christopher Johnson said in a statement. "However, I came to the decision to make a change after much thought and a careful assessment of what would be in the best long-term interests of the New York Jets."

Vice president of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger was also relieved of his duties, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington.

The move is a stunner given its timing, as Maccagnan led New York into the NFL draft less than three weeks ago. He and the Jets were active in free agency before that, handing out long-term deals to running back Le'Veon Bell and linebacker C.J. Mosley.

Gase, who was hired in January on the heels of a failed three-year stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, will serve as the franchise's leading voice until a new general manager is brought in. Philadelphia Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas could emerge as a candidate, Schefter suggested.

Rumors of a rift between Maccagnan and Gase floated across New York for weeks, but both were adamant publicly that they shared a healthy working relationship.

Maccagnan made plenty of moves over his four-plus years at the helm, but he'll be most remembered for engineering the trade that helped Gang Green land quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.