All the talk has been of Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury potentially getting another head coaching opportunity this offseason. However, another staff member is also getting his credentials examined in greater detail.
According to Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network, the New York Jets have requested permission to interview Joe Whitt Jr. for their head coaching vacancy. This came relatively out of the blue, but it's no more than he deserves.
Whitt is a trusted associate of Dan Quinn from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. The head coach made bringing him into the fold and allocating increased responsibilities in a coordinator role among the biggest priorities upon getting the job. His no-nonsense approach and forward-thinking went down extremely well with Washington's revamped roster and the defensive improvements as the campaign wore on were notable.
Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. has growing head coaching credentials
The Jets have cast their net far and wide for their man to replace Robert Saleh permanently. More than a dozen candidates have or will speak with the AFC East outfit. Whitt's late addition, which is probably down to the fact he couldn't speak to anybody last week, represents an intriguing development if nothing else.
This is a sign of the esteem in which Whitt is held around the league. He's an up-and-coming coach with glowing credentials. Learning from Quinn — one of the most respected culture-builders around — only enhances his claims for a top job one day.
Whether this comes too soon for Whitt is debatable. He's got one season of defensive play-calling experience, which isn't ideal. At the same time, he's a leader of men who'll whip New York's underperforming roster into shape through a combination of tough love and clear direction. That's exactly what the Jets should be looking for.
He was also part of the Green Bay Packers when Aaron Rodgers was quarterback, for what it's worth.
Whitt is professional enough to focus his attention on the task at hand and nothing more. The Commanders have a big Divisional Round playoff game at the Detroit Lions after seeing off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is an unwanted distraction, but nothing that should prevent the coordinator from preparing effectively for an exceptional offense led by Ben Johnson.
The Commanders are a hot team again. They removed the laughingstock stigma and became a legitimate feel-good story. Although immensely positive for the future, it means they are more susceptible to getting coaches, coordinators, or front office figures receiving some alluring glances from elsewhere.
Washington will have contingency plans in place for any departure. General manager Adam Peters is always thinking two steps ahead with the bigger picture in mind. Quinn's been around long enough to know the price of success. That should serve the Commanders well if Whitt — or anyone else, for that matter — earns a promotion.
Whitt is on the radar of NFL teams. Whether it amounts to anything more concrete remains to be seen.