Executive of the Year: GM Mike Maccagnan, NYJ
Notable Moves: Traded for B. Marshall, R. Fitzpatrick; Signed D. Revis, B. Skrine, M. Gilchrist, J. Carpenter; Drafted L. Williams, L. Mauldin, B. Petty
Another heartbreaking year for the New York Jets. They dropped their final game of the season to former coach Rex Ryan, their five-game winning streak snapped, and were eliminated from playoff contention.
Playoffs aside though, 2015 was a very successful year for the New York Jets considering where they stood at this point last year (last in AFC East, 4-12) and it’s due in large part to the work of General Manager Mike Maccagnan.
Maccagnan signed on to be the Jets new GM just about a year ago and began what was presumed to be a long road to recovery within the Jets organization–rebuilding the roster.
With no quarterback, and no depth at receiver, running back or any position in the secondary, Maccagnan took the teams nearly $60 million in cap space and sixth overall draft pick and turned the Jets into a legitimate playoff contender for years to come.
He traded a fifth round pick for Brandon Marshall (109 rec, 1,502 yds, 14 tds in 2015) and a conditional sixth round pick for Ryan Fitzpatrick (3,905 yds, 31 tds, 15 ints in 2015). He brought back Darrelle Revis and added depth throughout the secondary with the signings of Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine and Marcus Gilchrist.
He added even more depth and youth through the draft with the selections of Leonard Williams, Devin Smith, Lorenzo Mauldin and Bryce Petty.
In his first year ever as a general manager, Mike Maccagnan successfully rebuilt the New York Jets roster and gave Todd Bowles the foundation that he can now work with to build a winning organization.
4-12 to 10-6. Not a bad first year as GM.
Runner Up: GM Scot McCloughan, WAS
