The connection between the Jets' new braintrust -- GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn -- began when they hit it off in Denver a few years ago. Glenn was being interviewed for a job that went to Sean Payton (who he played for in New Orleans) and Mougey was the Broncos' assistant general manager.

At their introductory news conference at 1 Jets Drive on Monday, the message was clear: They are in this thing together to build a Green & White squad that can be a consistent winner.

"I could not be more excited to take on this responsibility with AG as we work to build a championship team that will make the Jets fans proud," Mougey said, after following Chairman Woody Johnson to the lectern. "And there is not a better leader for this team than AG.

"And I want to tell a story. I got the opportunity a few years ago, we were going through a head coaching search in Denver with the Broncos, and we interviewed AG. And at the end of the interview, I'd ask the candidates in that first meeting, 'What's that message going to be? What's it going to sound like? What's it going to look like?' And most of the candidates, we kind of just talk about their philosophies or something.

"AG, said, 'You want me to do it?' I said, well, if you're comfortable, let's see it, let's do it. So he pushed back, he sat up, and he delivered a powerful message. When he finished, we're all kind of looking around like, wow. And as we went on through the search, because he was one of the first guys we interviewed, we kept going back to it. Damn AG. He killed that thing, that was pretty good. We hadn't seen that.

"Fast forward a few years later, [last] Thursday, I'm sitting in his office and we're talking, and instantly I'm feeling that again, that passion, the passion for the game, the passion and the care for the players, the fans, his football acumen. We got to talking about this Jets team and the vision and the franchise, and we were in lock step, right out of the gate, same vision. We were speaking the same language. So I can't wait to work this partnership and bring a Super Bowl back to the New York Jets."

On Day 1, it sounded like sweet music, a short symphony between the new GM and the new HC.

At 39, Mougey is the third-youngest GM in the entire NFL. According to ESPN Research, the other GMs younger than Mougey are Cleveland's Andrew Berry (37) and Chicago's Ryan Poles (39).

And like Glenn, Mougey's journey to the top of an organization's football pyramid began modestly in Denver, where he spent the past 13 years. He joined the Broncos as a scouting intern in 2012 and the next year became a personnel/scouting assistant. He continued to advance in the scouting department until he was named assistant general manager in 2022.

"He's seen it all with various coaches, he's a very good talent evaluator, we know a lot about him," Chairman Johnson told team reporter Caroline Hendershot. "That's the key, picking players and how you relate to the coach. You have to give him what he wants in terms of [players'] character."

Mougey, who was offered and accepted the job this past Saturday night, said he and Glenn will waste no time getting to work.

Asked about his key tenants for building a consistent winner, Mougey said: "It's very important, and AG and the staff and I are going to actually start those conversations tonight, because I think that is a collective, collaborative approach on what we are going to look for in each player from makeup to physical traits and we're working that process right now."

In the black-and-white world of the NFL, the chemistry between head coach and general manager is crucial to their personal and collective success. Their goal is not to just win now, but to win from now on, as Glenn said.

During his remarks, Glenn looked to his left and spoke directly to Mougey, saying: "You my man, Darren. Bro, we are in this thing together again. We met years ago. I had a feeling, and to now see that it comes to this, it's outstanding. We can do some magical things here. Bro, some magical things. I look forward to it."

In a strange quirk of NFL schedule-making, the Jets and Broncos will meet again in 2025 -- for the sixth straight season and the second straight at MetLife Stadium.

"As the GM of the Jets, I will lead our personnel staff as we acquire, develop and work to retain players that fit our team and culture, and we will do this in complete partnership with the coaches," Mougey said. "Our philosophy will be to draft, develop, keep our own, and be disciplined and strategic in free agency. There is no more important part of any sports organization than the players. Period. It's about the players, and we have a good foundation of players here right now that we're going to continue to add to and we're going to give those players everything they need to be successful and reach their potential."

He then addressed the Green & White faithful.

"And finally, to Jets fans, you have my word that AG and I are going to pour our heart and souls into this job and do everything we can to get a Super Bowl back to this team."