The New York Jets were a team in turmoil in 2012 and next season isn't shaping up to be much better after the team parted ways with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who is moving to the Buffalo Bills in the same position, according to sources who spoke to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.
Pettine and the Jets parted ways after his contract expired following the 2012 season. According to the report, Pettine signed a three-year deal with the team. Pettine will join new Bills head coach Doug Marrone, who was hired from Syracuse after leading the Orange to one of their best seasons in recent memory. Joining him on the staff will be Nathaniel Hackett, who was Marrone's offensive coordinator at Syracuse, according to the Buffalo News.
Pettine spent four seasons as defensive coordinator for head coach Rex Ryan, but turned down a contract extension during the season, laying the groundwork for his departure. Pettine was one of the only bright spots for the Jets this season, with the defense ranking second in passing yards with 189 allowed per game. The team was ranked only 26th in rushing yards, but played better towards the end of the year.
Over his run with the Jets, Pettine helped the Jets rank 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th in total defense and made two AFC championship games. The Jets will now have to face Pettine and his familiar defense twice every season.
The fact that he is leaving for the Buffalo Bills, arguably a worse team in the same division, raises questions about how Pettine was treated by the organization. Why would the team let its best coach from last season leave if all that made a difference was money? Although there haven't been any reports, based on the way the Jets have done business over the past few years, it wouldn't be a surprise to hear that the team lowballed him on an offer in the extension.
"We had conversations and, right now, Mike thinks its best that he goes to a different team as a defensive coordinator, and I wish him all the best -- unless he goes to Buffalo," Ryan joked Tuesday at the teams press conference.
Jets secondary coach Dennis Thurman will likely be named the defensive coordinator for the team, according to league sources who spoke ESPNNewYork.com on Tuesday. New York will not announce the move until a general manager is found to replace Mike Tannenbaum, according to ESPN.com.
Pettine ran an aggressive 3-4 scheme with the Jets and may need to change up his philosophy since the Bills mostly have 4-3 personnel. New York's defense will look different next season no matter what, with DT Mike DeVito, S Yeremiah Bell and S LaRon Landry all set to be unrestricted free agents. The Bills brought in defensive end Mario Williams last season to a $100 million contract, but he struggled while playing with a wrist injury.
Marrone is known as an offensive coach, which is why he wanted someone like Pettine to run the defense. The Bills had issues on defense, allowing 145 rushing yards per game, ranked 31st in the league. Buffalo was better in the passing game, allowing 217 yards per game, ranked 10th in the NFL. The Bills were ranked 26th in the league in defensive scoring, allowing 27 points per game.
Buffalo started and ended the season with wins against the New York Jets, but struggled otherwise, going just 6-10, tied with the Jets in the AFC East. The Bills have some talent in defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, but will likely need to add some names in free agency and the draft to improve under Pettine.
