The New York Jets have announced the hiring of 39-year-old Darren Mougey, the Denver Broncos’ assistant general manager, as their new general manager.
Mougey, a former San Diego State quarterback who transitioned to tight end during college, had a brief NFL playing career, with stints on the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals practice squads. After going undrafted in 2009, he shifted to a front-office career in 2012, starting as a scouting intern with the Broncos. Over the next decade, he climbed the ranks, progressing to scouting assistant, area scout, and eventually assistant director of college scouting in 2020.
Mougey’s career gained momentum when George Paton became the Broncos’ general manager in 2021. Paton recognized Mougey’s potential, promoting him to director of player personnel in 2021 and assistant general manager in 2022. During his time in Denver, Mougey played a significant role in key drafts, contributing to the selections of All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Pro Bowl pass rusher Nick Bonitto, and All-Pro returner Marvin Mims. While his influence on the Broncos’ recent improvements is evident, it remains difficult to fully assess his impact, as he wasn’t the top decision-maker.
The Jets’ decision to hire Mougey, along with first-time head coach Aaron Glenn, marks a departure from their initial search for experienced candidates. Despite Mougey’s rapid rise in the NFL, his proven eye for talent and leadership potential have earned him this opportunity.
With these hires in place, the Jets now face the challenge of building their coaching and front-office teams ahead of a pivotal offseason that could shape the franchise’s future.
