JUST QUINN CASE
Jets keep talking to coaches, but Fox won't be one, as they wait for Seattle guru
The Jets are not sitting on their hands waiting for Dan Quinn.
The team will interview Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Wednesday for a second time, according to a source. Bowles is flying to New Jersey on Tuesday night and will interview again on Wednesday. The Jets were extremely impressed with Bowles when he spoke to them last week and he and Quinn are the favorites for the job.
The Jets also will interview Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott for the job on Wednesday, according to a source.
Contrary to an ESPN report, the Jets did not seek an interview with John Fox, who was fired by the Broncos on Monday. The speculation in NFL circles is that Fox is going to wind up as the Bears head coach.
McDermott has led top-10 defenses in each of the last three years in Carolina. The 40-year-old spent 12 seasons with the Eagles, rising from an administrative role to defensive coordinator before getting fired after the 2010 season.
He will be the seventh person to interview for the opening created when the Jets fired Rex Ryan at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, on the general manager front, the Jets still had not made an official announcement, but things are on track and Mike Maccagnan could be named GM on Tuesday. Maccagnan has been meeting with the Jets since Friday and may take part in the interviews with Bowles and McDermott on Wednesday.
The Jets have their eyes on Quinn, the defensive coordinator of the Se a h awk s , for the head coaching job, but cannot offer him the job until Seattle’s season is over. The Seahawks face the Packers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
If the Seahawks lose Sunday, the Jets could hire him Sunday night, if the two sides agreed. If Seattle wins, the Jets could interview him again next week, if the Seahawks grant permission. They could not make him an offer, though, until after the Super Bowl in three weeks. It will become difficult for the Jets to put a coaching staff together if thay have to wait until February.
Quinn also is a hot candidate for other openings. The Jets need to determine whether they think they can land him or if they need to turn to an alternate choice.
The Falcons, Bears, Broncos and 49ers are all interested in Quinn. Similarly, Bowles is in demand. The Falcons reportedly scheduled a second interview with him for Wednesday and he is seen as one of the top targets for their opening.
The Jets have stayed away from the veteran-coach route. The only coaches who have interviewed with the Jets who have been head coaches for a full season in the NFL are Tom Cable and Doug Marrone. Fox also may have a choice of jobs and not be interested in the Jets.
The NFL draft season really kicks off next week in Alabama at the Senior Bowl. You would think the Jets would want to have a front office in place by then. Currently Rod Graves is overseeing the football operations. Terry Bradway is representing the Jets at the EastWest Shrine Game this week.
brian.costello@nypost.com