Mike Maccagnan likes to tell this story about when he was the Texans’ director of college scouting before becoming the Jets’ general manager in 2015.
During draft meetings, he’d sit next to GM Rick Smith and would often think to himself about how close he was — literally — to the top executive spot in the organization. Just one seat over: How could it be much different than being the chief lieutenant?
As Maccagnan has discovered over the last three years, it’s a lot different. Just a few feet away was in reality a world away when you have to make the most important decisions.