According to NFL Network's Ian Rappaport, the New York Jets will interview Jim Caldwell once Todd Bowles' firing becomes official as many expect following Sunday's game against the Patriots. Caldwell and McCarthy are the two coaches Rappaport lists as the top candidates to fill-in for the recently fired coach.

Caldwell previously served as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-2011 and the Lions from 2014-2017. Caldwell produced a 26-22 record with the Colts including a 2-2 postseason record. One of those victories came over the Jets in the 2009 AFC Championship game, while the Jets avenged that loss in the 2010 AFC Wildcard contest. In 2009, Caldwell led the Colts to the Super Bowl, but were defeated by the eventual champion New Orleans Saints.

Caldwell produced a 36-28 mark with Detroit including one postseason appearance in 2016 where the Lions fell to the Seahawks.

Caldwell comes from the Tony Dungy coaching tree as he spent time with him in both Tampa Bay and Indianapolis. While Caldwell hasn't neccesarily received the recognition and attention he deserves. Despite having an impressive resume, Caldwell would not be the best fit with the Jets. Caldwell was Dungy's successor with the Colts, and it was Peyton Manning who was the quarterback and essentially head coach that drove the engine to a Super Bowl berth during his time there. Caldwell was never able to fully develop Matthew Stafford despite him having Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Eric Ebron as prime targets to throw to. .

If the Jets go with a more seasoned option at head coach, it should be one that has been to the top of the mountain and has championship winning experience. Sound like Mike McCarthy?

In all seriousness, Caldwell is just 12 games over .500 for his head coaching career in the NFL and had a nightmarish time in college while at Wake Forest as he produced a 26-63 mark in eight seasons with the Demon Deacons. As an offensive coordinator, Caldwell would be a terrific choice, but he's proven to be just a slightly above average head coach in the league. The Jets will need to knock this hire out of the park, and Caldwell will do little to excite the fan base and he doesn't exactly have a proven track record of developing young quarterbacks.

Sam Darnold needs a quarterback guru to come in and open up all possibilities for him to reach the next level and help the Jets offensive reach new heights. Gang Green should learn from past mistakes and elect not to hired an executive search firm to conduct their next head coaching search. The path is clear. Find a quarterback and offensive whisperer who can help develop Darnold. It doesn't matter is he's a seasoned coach with championship experience or a young upstart that has shown promise as an assistant or within the college ranks, the Jets need to get this next hire right.