Dec 29, 2017 3 min read

Jets give Bowles extension

The New York Jets are choosing stability over a shake-up.

The team announced Friday it extended the contracts of general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles, keeping the pair for at least the next three seasons through 2020.

The extensions are for two years each, according to a person with direct knowledge of the contracts. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce terms.

“During their time here, they have worked together to help the organization build a foundation on which to grow,” acting owner and CEO Christopher Johnson said in a statement. “They are identifying, developing and getting productivity out of our players.

“I believe we are headed in the right direction.”

The announcement came two days before the Jets complete their season at New England. New York is 5-10 and will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight year and the third under Maccagnan and Bowles.

Giants hire Gettleman as general manager

Vowing to kick some butt and return the New York Giants to prominence, Dave Gettleman has taken over as general manager for the reeling franchise.

Speaking at a news conference Friday, less than 24 hours after his hiring was announced, the 67-year-old Gettleman declined to say how long it would take to rebuild the Giants (2-13) but noted there is plenty of talent on the team that made the playoffs a year ago under recently fired coach Ben McAdoo.

“I’ve been hired to win,” Gettleman said after introduced by co-owner John Mara. “The only promise I can make is I’m going to do everything in my power to lead this organization back to where it belongs.”

Gettleman replaces Jerry Reese, who was fired on Dec. 4 along with second-year coach Ben McAdoo with the team spiraling out of control and fans upset with the benching of quarterback Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP.

The hiring is reunion for Gettleman. He worked for the franchise for 15 years before leading in 2013 to become the general manger of the Carolina Panthers. He helped them reach the Super Bowl in the 2015 season. He was fired after the team missed the playoffs the next season.

CFL will approve Manziel contract

The Canadian Football League said Thursday it would approve a contract for quarterback Johnny Manziel if one is reached with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who have the former Heisman Trophy winner on their negotiation list.

The team has 10 days to make an offer to the 25-year-old Manziel, who would remain on the list for another year even if he rejects the bid.

The league in September said it would not approve a contract for Manziel until next season and only if he met certain conditions stipulated by Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. The former Texas A&M star played two tumultuous seasons in the NFL until the Cleveland Browns released him in March 2016 amid a number of off-field issues.

Hamilton (6-12) finished third in the East Division last year and missed the playoffs. The team said it appreciated the league’s “diligence” and Manziel “for thus far demonstrating the attributes necessary to continue his career in our great league.”