Just 18 months after bringing Aaron Rodgers to New York, General Manager Joe Douglas has been relieved of his duties by the New York Jets. Following a harrowing 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, which dropped the team’s record to 3-8 this season, Douglas's firing marks yet another chapter of turmoil for the embattled franchise.
Phil Savage, formerly the team’s senior football adviser, has been named interim general manager as the Jets prepare for the next steps. According to reports, the decision was made swiftly to jumpstart the search for Douglas's permanent replacement without the distraction of his overlapping responsibilities.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic highlighted the Jets' desire to initiate the search immediately, indicating the organization preferred not to have Douglas involved during this transitional period, especially as he had effectively lost significant authority over the past month. This loss of control had been evident since the unexpected firing of head coach Robert Saleh on October 8, which came at the insistence of owner Woody Johnson, with little input from Douglas.
While Douglas held the title of general manager, differing reports indicate the organization’s recent decision-making fell under the purview of higher-ups following Saleh’s dismissal. Jordan Schultz, another NFL insider, reported on the power dynamics at play, stating, "Douglas effectively lost most of his authority after the firing of Robert Saleh, made by owner Woody Johnson with minimal input from Douglas." The situation became untenable and highlighted the increasingly meddlesome nature of Johnson’s ownership.
Douglas's reign as GM has been characterized by disappointing results. With a record of 30-64 over more than five years, he has yet to deliver a winning season or playoff appearance. Compounding these woes, the Jets are now staring down the possibility of their ninth consecutive losing season, mirroring experiences from the franchise's past.
The shakeup is one of three significant personnel changes for the Jets within six weeks, following Saleh's firing and the demotion of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett remains on staff, but his play-calling rights have effectively been handed over to Todd Downing.
Douglas’s efforts during his tenure included attempts to create a competitive roster, particularly around Aaron Rodgers. Recognizing Rodgers's comfort zone, Douglas brought key players like Allen Lazard and Davante Adams to the Jets, building upon the quarterback's previous success with them at Green Bay. Alongside the trades, substantial resources were invested to bolster the offensive line by signing proven linemen and drafting top prospects.
Yet, these moves have failed to alter the Jets' course. Despite earlier optimism, the team sits tenuously at the bottom of the AFC East, only managing to claim the tiebreaker over the New England Patriots based on common game percentages. Currently, the playoff picture appears bleak; they’re three games behind the last playoff spot determined by the Denver Broncos.
Douglas had signed with the Jets for six years back in June 2019, amid his pre-existing successes as an executive. His past accolades include three Super Bowl titles as part of the coaching staff for the Baltimore Ravens before transitioning to prominent roles within the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet, this history of success seemed distant as he endeavored to revitalize the Jets.
The decision to part ways with Douglas indicates Johnson's resolve to reset the team's direction entirely, as he has become increasingly impatient with the franchise's consistent shortcomings. Just six weeks ago, Johnson described this current roster as "the best he has seen" over his 25 years as the owner.
The Jets' late season turmoil appears to have been exacerbated by Johnson’s more active involvement, leading to speculation about who will helm the organization moving forward. The prospects of hiring Douglas's successor, which will likely commence immediately, remain uncertain yet necessary as fan frustration mounts and patience continues to wane.
The potential candidates for Douglas’s replacement are already being discussed with enthusiasm among fans and analysts alike. Some possible names floating around include Brandon Brown, currently the assistant general manager of the New York Giants, Ray Agnew, the assistant GM for the Detroit Lions, alongside seasoned football executives like Mike Borgonzi and Alec Halaby from the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles respectively.
This transition period for the Jets signals more than just the end of one executive's tenure; it illuminates the broader organizational culture where accountability and leadership must meet results. Douglas’s exit may offer the team the opportunity to reconfigure its leadership structure, including the future of Rodgers, who, at 40 years old, presents another layer of complexity moving forward as new management potentially debates the direction of the team.
Fans and analysts alike are itching for clarity and optimism over the Jets' next steps and, wrapped within the uncertainties surrounding the ownership and management, the Jets’ faithful hope for transformation sooner rather than later. Until then, the organization remains at the crossroads, beset by questions of identity and capability to reclaim lost glory.
What lies next for the franchise remains to be seen, but the reality of the Jets’ current situation is painfully clear: the road to recovery will require not just change but the right form of leadership to steer them away from this exhaustive phase of mismanagement.
