New York Jets hire Mark Sanchez’s former quarterbacks coach

Matt Cavanuagh joins the New York Jets’ offensive coaching staff

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, the New York Jets have added Matt Cavanaugh to Robert Saleh‘s coaching staff. Cavanaugh will serve as the Jets’ senior offensive assistant.

The Jets have hired Matt Cavanaugh to be their senior offensive assistant, per source.

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 25, 2021

Following the tragic passing of Greg Knapp in July, the Jets were left without an experienced offensive coach on their staff to work with Zach Wilson. Knapp was the team’s passing game coordinator and was working closely with Wilson.

Cavanaugh has reportedly been spending time with the team in a limited capacity over the past few weeks. He is expected to fill the role of the team’s quarterback tutor.

Cavanaugh has been with the team in a limited capacity for a few weeks. With the tragic loss of Greg Knapp last month, the Jets had a hole on their staff for a veteran coach to work with Zach Wilson. Cavanaugh will fill that role.

— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) August 25, 2021

Cavanaugh, 64, served as the Jets’ quarterbacks coach from 2009-12, the four-year stint in which Mark Sanchez led the franchise. Sanchez was unable to fulfill his potential in New York, but he did muster up a winning record in the regular season (33-29) along with four playoff victories over his first two seasons in the league.

Following his stint with the Jets, Cavanaugh tutored Jay Cutler as the Bears’ quarterbacks coach from 2013-14. Cutler posted passer ratings of 89.2 and 88.6 under Cavanaugh, which wound up as the second and third-best ratings of his 12-year career.

Prior to taking the 2020 season off, Cavanaugh served a trio of roles for the Washington Football Team’s staff from 2015-19. He was Washington’s quarterbacks coach from 2015-16, their offensive coordinator from 2017-18, and their senior offensive assistant in 2019.

As offensive coordinator, Cavanaugh led Washington to 16th and 29th in points per game in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Here is a full list of Cavanaugh’s career roles:

• Senior offensive assistant, Washington (2019)
• Offensive coordinator, Washington (2017-18)
• Quarterbacks coach, Washington (2015-16)
• Quarterbacks coach, Bears (2013-14)
• Quarterbacks coach, Jets (2009-12)
• Offensive coordinator, University of Pittsburgh (2005-08)
• Offensive coordinator, Ravens (1999-04)
• Offensive coordinator, Bears (1997-98)
• Quarterbacks coach, 49ers (1996)
• Quarterbacks coach, Cardinals (1994-95)
• Tight ends coach, University of Pittsburgh (1992-93)

Cavanaugh will make his official debut on the Jets coaching staff this Friday as the Jets host the Eagles at MetLife Stadium for their preseason finale (7:30 p.m. ET).

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