The New York Jets have made a significant change in leadership, parting ways with general manager Joe Douglas following a dismal 3-8 start to the season. The decision, announced Tuesday by team owner Woody Johnson, marks another shakeup for a franchise that had high hopes for the season, particularly with quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm. The Jets, however, have struggled to find success, leading to the likelihood of missing the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year.
Douglas’s tenure, which began in 2019, ended with a record of 30-64 and no winning seasons. His dismissal comes just six weeks after Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on October 8, following a 2-3 start to the season. In a statement, Johnson expressed gratitude for Douglas’s contributions over the past six years, wishing him and his family well in the future.
Phil Savage, who has served as a senior football adviser since 2019, has been appointed as the interim general manager for the remainder of the season. Johnson stated that the search for a new general manager would begin immediately.
Douglas, who was in the final year of his contract, was reportedly not consulted when Johnson decided to dismiss Saleh and promote defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim head coach. Under Ulbrich, the Jets have struggled, posting a 1-5 record. Despite Johnson’s previous comments regarding the talent on the team, the lack of input from Douglas during the coaching change hinted at his precarious position.
In a recent interview, Douglas acknowledged the challenges the team faced and expressed a desire to improve. “Obviously, it starts with me,” he said, reflecting on the need for self-evaluation following Saleh’s firing. He had hoped for a turnaround in the team’s performance during the final stretch of the season.
Unfortunately, the Jets have since lost two more games, including a 31-6 defeat to Arizona and a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to Indianapolis. Johnson’s decision to fire Douglas during the bye week indicates a commitment to a major overhaul rather than waiting until the end of the season, as the franchise seeks to end the NFL’s longest active playoff drought.
Johnson’s future outside of football could also play a role in the timing of this decision. He previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the UK and may consider a return to that position if Donald Trump is elected again, which could impact his involvement with the team.
Douglas was initially celebrated for acquiring Rodgers, but the four-time MVP’s season was derailed by a torn Achilles tendon just four plays into the opener. The Jets have struggled to recover since, finishing last season at 7-10. The uncertainty surrounding Rodgers, who will turn 41 on December 2 and has one year left on his contract, complicates the team’s future.
Douglas’s legacy will be marred by the failure to build a solid offensive line and the decision to trade former quarterback Sam Darnold to Carolina, replacing him with Zach Wilson as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft. However, he did make significant strides in establishing a young core, drafting standout players such as cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, and running back Breece Hall in the 2022 draft.
Savage, the new interim GM, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as general manager for the Cleveland Browns and holding positions with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. He also spent six years as the executive director of the Senior Bowl and was the GM of the Arizona Hotshots in the Alliance of American Football before joining the Jets.
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