The Jets have requested a general manager interview with Mike Greenberg, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' assistant GM — no, not the ESPN personality. Images via ESPN & Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Edit by Liam McGuire, Comeback Media.
By Sam Neumann on

The Jets have already gone into the media ranks for one general manager interview; what’s one more?

The franchise announced it had interviewed Louis Riddick for its GM opening, vacated by the fired Joe Douglas. And while Riddick has had those like Deion Sanders and Stephen A. Smith stump for his candidacy, he might just have some in-house competition at the Worldwide Leader.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have requested an interview with Mike Greenberg, a man who grew up a fan of Gang Green.

The Jets did what?

Before you rush to social media to roast the Jets for interviewing Mike Greenberg, it’s important to clarify that it’s not the ESPN personality you’re thinking of. While that may not stop the jokes from flying, rest assured, the Jets aren’t doubling down on their circus act — yet.

While we at Awful Announcing would love this from a content standpoint, the Jets are actually making what seems like a savvy move. In his annual list of hot names to watch as potential GM candidates, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentioned Mike Greenberg of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a name that’s “knocking on the door” and “right there on the doorstep.”

That doorstep could be One Jets Drive in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Greenberg, who grew up a Jets fan on Long Island, has spent the past 15 seasons with the Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida—not in Bristol, Connecticut. This season marks his second as assistant general manager, working closely with Bucs GM Jason Licht. He also spent two seasons as the vice president of football administration after eight seasons as director of football administration and two seasons as the coordinator of football administration.

In short, Greenberg’s résumé is a bit more substantial than hosting Get Up, #Greeny or Sunday NFL Countdown.

Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from having some fun. Schefter himself joked on The Pat McAfee Show Monday that Greenberg should get the job based on his name alone.

And Greenberg himself — the other one — too.

While ESPN’s Greenberg is probably the most notable Jets fan in sports media, the fanbase hasn’t exactly embraced him as its Fireman Ed. He’s been outspoken about the team, calling them one of the biggest failures in sports and even turning his back on Aaron Rodgers. He also distanced himself from religion after his late father failed to deliver a Jets Super Bowl win.

A lot of moving parts there.

The other Mike Greenberg’s football background and impressive tenure in Tampa Bay make him a serious contender, not just a punchline.

[Adam Schefter on X]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann