Jets hire Matt Cavanaugh as a senior offensive assistant

Matt Cavanaugh most recently coached in Washington in the Shanahan-style offense, but he also has a connection to the Jets and Mark Sanchez.

The Jets hired longtime NFL assistant Matt Cavanaugh, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello.

Cavanaugh fills the vacancy left by the tragic passing of Gregg Knapp, who died last month after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle.

This is not Cavanaugh’s first stint with the Jets. He previously served as the quarterbacks coach during the Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez years from 2009-2012.

Cavanaugh is acquainted with the Shanahan-style offense. He coached quarterbacks with Washington under offensive coordinator Sean McVay from 2015-2016 (after Kyle Shanahan left to run the Falcons offense), then took over as offensive coordinator from 2017-2018. He most recently served as a senior offensive assistant under Jay Gruden in 2019.

It’s unclear exactly what Cavanaugh’s role on the team will be, but he’ll undoubtedly help with Zach Wilson’s development and should join the team next week after clearing COVID-19 protocols.

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