Teams will soon begin laying off coaches and front-office employees in droves as the NFL season comes to an end. Recruitment and several interviews will come next. And the New York Jets are already making plans for 2025 and beyond. The general manager’s position is vacant. The New York Jets have stepped up their search for a general manager.

As the NFL gets ready for its annual offseason shake-up, head coach Deion Sanders has thrown his support behind a prominent personality in football media. Colorado’s Deion Sanders specifically endorses the New York team’s significant acquisition during their pursuit. But why, and who, is he?

Adam Schefter, an ESPN NFL source, said Thursday that Louis Riddick, a coworker of his, was interviewed by the Jets for the position. Deion Sanders then posted on Twitter, “Jets Please don’t mess this up and I pray this was a real interview and not that other thang y’all do. This man deserves a REAL CHANCE! He is knowledge & Class personified! #CoachPrime.” It only shows how strongly Deion believes in Riddick because he has been aware of his potential and skill. Does he have any prior playing experience?

However, in 2013, Riddick joined ESPN as an analyst. Before that, the 49ers selected Riddick in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in the NFL between stints with the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons. Before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008, Riddick spent his post-career years working for Washington as a scout and in a variety of front-office positions. His most recent position was director of pro personnel with the Eagles from 2010 to 2013. Now, you might be wondering why Deion backs Riddick. Did they previously know one another?

Well, as former teammates, Deion and Riddick have a long-standing relationship. They have developed a respect and friendship because they were both defensive backs for the Atlanta Falcons in the early 1990s. But this isn’t the first time the ESPN analyst has been interviewed. He interviewed for general manager positions with the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans in 2020. He was also interviewed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 for the same position.

Despite having high expectations going into the season, New York is currently 4–12. Turning things around will be a major task for their new general manager. But you know, if Coach Prime has endorsed Riddick, he just might be the guy! After all, what do the Jets have to lose after nine straight losing seasons? 

Riddick could very well tidy up. From determining Aaron Rodgers’ QB plans to getting the defense and the attack in sync… Sure, it’s a tough task, but we are talking about a struggling franchise in pro football, aren’t we? It’s not high school stuff anymore. The Stakes are always high. One bad step and he’d start worrying about getting axed, if we are to go by Woody Johnson’s recent history. 

So, you can understand why Deion wouldn’t want his son, Shedeur, to take the Jets gig even if the space opens up because of the franchise’s fragility currently. The thing is, Coach Prime has made it clear that Shedeur will only go to the franchise that “would be able to handle the quarterback that he is and understand what he’s capable of.” So, can the Giants provide that? Maybe, maybe not.

Is the Giants and Shedeur Sanders match made in heaven?

Remember when, earlier last month, Coach Prime said that Shedeur would be the first pick in the 2025 draft, and the New York Giants were in a position to make the first pick? Despite having a four-way tie for the worst NFL record after their unexpected victory over the Indianapolis Colts in week 17, the Giants were ranked fourth in the 2025 draft because of their strong schedule. But now, the rumor concerning Shedeur and Giants appears to have faded.

Let’s set the scene: the collegiate football season is over, and Shedeur’s focused on nailing that NFL draft. He’s in pole position of getting picked first despite his collegiate career coming to a somewhat depressing end when Colorado lost the Valero Alamo Bowl against BYU 36–14.

In his final game of collegiate football, Sanders passed for 208 yards, two TDs, and a pair of interceptions. So, you know, who the NFL franchises will be dealing with here. A fighter. Now, back to the Giants debacle. He is still being connected to the Giants (and yes, the talks are fading, but it is making the most sense as of now).

In his most recent NFL mock draft, Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports projects that the Giants will take Sanders with the first overall choice. After cutting former top-10 pick Daniel Jones in November, the Big Blue is looking for a new QB.

“It’s obvious the Giants desperately need a new franchise quarterback, and despite a fairly weak class, they’re likely to choose between this year’s top prospects at the position with this pick. Sanders and Cam Ward will both get strong consideration here, but Sanders’ ability to excel despite a lackluster supporting cast could appeal to the G-Men’s current situation,” said Easterling.

There’s no such thing as greener pastures when talking about the Big Blue right now. But one thing can be assured is that Shedeur would become the guy under center right away. And isn’t that every rookie’s dream to just get that security?