Florham Park Transforming into the Eastern Version of Nashville as Jets Welcome Another Titan
The New York Jets are set to fill their vacant running backs coaching position with the addition of Tony Dews, who has spent the past six seasons with the Titans. Jonathan Jones, an NFL insider for CBS, reported last Friday evening that “the Jets are hiring Tony Dews as their next running backs coach.”
Despite former 10-year NFL running back Duce Staley having interviewed for the position with the Jets, he reportedly turned down their offer to join the Cleveland Browns, according to various sources. Consequently, with Staley no longer in consideration, the Jets selected Dews to take over from Taylor Embree, who will not be returning in 2024.
The connection between Dews and the Jets may not be coincidental, as he has direct familiarity with two offensive staff members. New York’s passing game coordinator, Todd Downing, and offensive line coach/run game coordinator, Keith Carter, were both part of the 2022 Titans’ staff alongside Dews.
Dews entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2018 as the Titans’ running backs coach after almost two decades in collegiate coaching. He held the running backs coach position until the end of the 2022 season before transitioning to the role of tight ends coach in 2023.
The trio of Downing, Carter, and Dews spent four full seasons together in Tennessee from 2019 to 2022. Downing, initially working with tight ends, later assumed the role of Titans’ offensive coordinator for the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.
Dews, aged 50, was part of the Tennessee organization known for its effective rushing attack, particularly led by superstar ball carrier Derrick Henry, who topped all NFL rushing leaders in both 2019 and 2020.