According to Brian Bassett, founder and lead editor of SNY’s thejetsblog.com, the Jets are close to a deal that would make 49ers Director of Player Personnel Tom Gamble their new general manager.

Bassett later clarified that according to his source, the deal is more in $2-3MM per year range, for those interested in the financials.

Of course, the Jets beat was bothered by Bassett’s scoop and took to Twitter to dispute it.

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, “Source just said the Jets have not offered the job to Gamble or anyone else yet.” Rich Cimini also added, “Told at start of GM search that new GM wouldn’t be in place by Rex/Woody presser on Tuesday. Nothing has changed.”

It’s worth noting that Bassett’s report says that the team has “essentially cemented” a deal — not that a deal is done.

Here’s my take: The story on Gamble was an exclusive scoop from Bassett, not from the usual cast of characters, and with that, I can see why many are so hesitant to question the validity. I questioned Mike Florio – who also inferred the Jets and Gamble are close to a deal yesterday – mostly because I don’t care for him personally (shallow, I know). I do, however, trust Brian Bassett, a man who would not drop something like this – and risk his reputation – if his source wasn’t reliable. (For what it’s worth, Bassett writes that he is 99% certain the report is accurate).

The team also has other candidates yet to interivew, including Giants’ Marc Ross, an interview many suspect might be a Rooney Rule courtesy. Obviously the team has not made any official announcements yet and likely won’t until later in the week.

Stay tuned for more on this story.

UPDATE (Saturday 1/5, 10:30 pm): The Browns have requested presmission to interview Gamble. Gamble already turned down an interview with the Jaguars he had previously scheduled — no word on the status of a future interview with the Browns.

UPDATE (Sunday 1/6, 1:28 pm): ESPN’s Adam Schefter is now reporting that Gamble has emerged as the favorite to land the Jets GM job. Gamble turned down an interview with the Jags for the second time “so he could concentrate on landing the Jets’ position.”