{"id":17847,"date":"2024-11-20T07:40:36","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T07:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=17847"},"modified":"2024-11-20T07:40:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T07:40:36","slug":"jets-fire-gm-joe-douglas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=17847","title":{"rendered":"Jets Fire GM Joe Douglas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Weeks after dismissing head coach\u00a0Robert Saleh,\u00a0<\/strong>the Jets have also cleaned house in the front office. General manager Joe Douglas\u00a0<\/strong>has been fired, as first reported by SNY\u2019s Connor Hughes<\/a>. The move is now official, with the team announcement noting veteran executive Phil Savage <\/strong>will serve as interim GM.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

2024 marked the final year of Douglas\u2019 deal, leading to plenty of speculation at the the start of the season regarding his job security. He, Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett\u00a0<\/strong>received a mulligan after the 2023 campaign was marred by\u00a0Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/strong>\u2018 Achilles tear. The current season has not gone according to plan, however, and Saleh was fired in October<\/a>. Hackett remains on staff, but he was replaced by Todd Downing <\/strong>as the team\u2019s offensive play-caller<\/a> in the wake of Saleh\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n

[RELATED: GM Lost Authority Following Saleh\u2019s Firing]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Douglas was not involved<\/a> in the decision to make a coaching change, something which created the recent appearance of a disconnect between he and owner<\/a> Woody Johnson.<\/strong> With the campaign headed toward another finish outside of the playoffs, the latter has chosen to make another major organizational change. New York\u2019s efforts in the coming offseason will certainly be a central league storyline.<\/p>\n

Naturally, the midseason coaching alterations led to a fresh round of questions concerning Douglas\u2019 standing in the organization. A report from last month indicated both Douglas and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich <\/strong>were held in high regard<\/a> by Johnson, however, which suggested the pair would have the remainder of the season to try and oversee a playoff push. Ulbrich has gone 1-5 since taking over, and as such the postseason is out of reach at this point. Rather than allowing Douglas to finish his contract, the team has moved on ahead of time.<\/p>\n

Douglas took New York\u2019s GM gig in 2019 after tenures with the Ravens, Bears and Eagles. His time in various capacities across those organizations boosted his stock and led to high expectations for the Jets\u2019 rebuilding efforts with him at the helm. The first year of the Douglas era resulted in a 7-9 campaign with\u00a0Sam Darnold<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>at quarterback and\u00a0Adam Gase\u00a0<\/strong>in place as head coach.<\/p>\n

That pairing remained in the fold for one more year, one which resulted in a 2-14 record and sweeping changes being made. Gase was replaced by Saleh, while Darnold was traded away. The latter\u2019s replacement \u2013\u00a0Zach Wilson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 was viewed as the central focus of New York\u2019s ability to return to the postseason. Instead, the former No. 2 pick struggled throughout his Jets tenure, posting a 12-21 record and throwing more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). The Saleh-Douglas tandem was retained to oversee another overhaul at the QB spot, with Rodgers being acquired via trade from the Packers last offseason.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>That move (which has been followed by a number of other ones aimed at accommodating the four-time MVP\u2019s wishes) was aimed at providing stability under center to complement a roster seen as having a number of capable producers at several other positions. That includes the likes of\u00a0Sauce Gardner<\/a>, Garrett Wilson<\/a>, Jermaine Johnson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Breece Hall<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>Each of those players were selected in the 2022 draft, and they profile as long-term building blocks for Douglas\u2019 successor to inherit. Still, the failure of the Jets to find an effective solution at the QB spot under Douglas will form much of his legacy.<\/p>\n

Rodgers has been in place for 2024, but \u2013 despite swinging a deal for Davante Adams<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>ahead of the deadline and working out an agreement which ended the much-maligned\u00a0Haason Reddick<\/a> <\/strong>holdout \u2013 the Jets sit at 3-8. Rodgers\u2019 future for next season is in the air<\/a>, and it remains to be seen who will be in place as the team\u2019s head coach and general manager by that time. Johnson may also have another ambassador position in place once the 2025 campaign begins, something which could accelerate the timing of hiring decisions on the sidelines and\/or in the front office.<\/p>\n

Overall, Douglas will depart the Jets with a record of 30-64. Each of his five full campaigns ended with a losing record, and that will likely be the case for 2024 as well. The Jets\u2019 postseason drought has continued under his supervision, and ending it will be a top priority for whomever Johnson brings in for 2025 and beyond. Douglas\u2019 attention will likely focus on a return to scouting or a player personnel role with his next organization; given his run in charge of the Jets, another GM opportunity should not be expected to be on the horizon.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n