FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets’ disappointing season claimed one other casualty Tuesday, as proprietor Woody Johnson fired common supervisor Joe Douglas after five-plus seasons.
The transfer got here six weeks after Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 begin, setting the stage for an offseason reboot that probably will have an effect on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Phil Savage, a senior soccer adviser for the Jets, was named the group’s interim common supervisor. Savage is a former GM of the Cleveland Browns (2005-08).
“In the present day, I knowledgeable Joe Douglas he’ll not function the Normal Supervisor of the New York Jets. I wish to thank Joe for his dedication to the Jets during the last six years and need him and his household the perfect shifting ahead,” Johnson mentioned in an announcement.
Johnson added that the Jets “will start the method to establish a brand new Normal Supervisor instantly.” He wasn’t made accessible to reporters.
The Jets, who started the season with Tremendous Bowl aspirations, dropped to 3-8 after blowing a late lead Sunday in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson, who lately referred to as this Jets roster the perfect he has had in 25 years of possession, was fuming after the sport, sources mentioned.
Douglas’ ouster isn’t surprising — the group was 30-64 beneath his stewardship, with no successful seasons and no playoff appearances — however the timing is curious, contemplating there are nonetheless six video games remaining. Douglas, who signed a six-year contract in June 2019, did not have a contract for the 2025 season. In reality, his deal would have expired in six months, which created seasonlong uncertainty.
Johnson figured sooner was higher than later as a result of he determined Douglas’ destiny after Sunday’s recreation and needed to begin the method of a GM search as rapidly as doable, sources mentioned. He apparently felt it might’ve been awkward to conduct the search with a lame-duck GM nonetheless within the constructing.
Douglas’ destiny was probably sealed when he wasn’t included within the determination to fireside Saleh on Oct. 8. On the time, Johnson made it abundantly clear that it was his name, leaving his GM in a tough place.
Some within the group have been shocked that Johnson did not hearth Douglas and Saleh on the identical time, sources mentioned. It is doable that Johnson retained Douglas lengthy sufficient to deal with some unfinished enterprise — the Haason Reddick holdout and the buying and selling deadline (Nov. 5). The Jets wound up buying and selling for vast receiver Davante Adams (Oct. 15) and resolving the holdout (Oct. 22), with Johnson taking a key function in each.
Douglas had grow to be disenchanted in current weeks, sources mentioned, hoping a miracle turnaround would possibly change issues. The alternative has occurred; the Jets have dropped seven of their previous eight video games in what was speculated to be a win-now season beneath Rodgers, whose future is cloudy. One supply mentioned he’d be “shocked” if Johnson brings Rodgers again in 2025.
Rodgers, 40, mired in one among his worst statistical seasons, is beneath contract for subsequent season ($23.5 million cap cost), however none of his wage is assured.
Douglas arrived with a sterling popularity as a expertise evaluator. He constructed a roster with younger stars similar to vast receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner, however he had an enormous miss by drafting quarterback Zach Wilson with the second decide in 2021 after deciding to maneuver on from Sam Darnold and buying and selling him to the Carolina Panthers.
Douglas tried a fast repair at quarterback, buying and selling for Rodgers in April 2023, however the Jets caught a nasty break when the long run Corridor of Famer tore his Achilles on the fourth snap of the 2023 season. He doubled down on Rodgers, surrounding him with growing older stars on short-term offers — specifically offensive deal with Tyron Smith, vast receiver Mike Williams and edge rusher Reddick, who got here by way of commerce. None of them have labored out. Williams was traded lately to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Whereas Douglas helped construct a gifted protection, which has regressed this season, he didn’t solidify the offensive line and quarterback positions. Because the begin of 2019, the group’s quarterbacks rank final within the NFL in Complete QBR (36), completion price (59.6%) and yards per try (6.3), in accordance with ESPN Analysis.
The Jets will likely be seeking to rent a GM and coach for the primary time since 2015, once they wound up with Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles, respectively. Bowles was fired after the 2018 season; Maccagnan was fired a number of months later after dropping an influence battle with newly employed coach Adam Gase. Maccagnan was changed by Douglas.
Johnson’s function for 2025 stays unclear. There’s hypothesis that he might be appointed by president-elect Donald Trump to serve once more because the ambassador to the UK, a publish he held from 2017 to 2021. If that occurs, Johnson’s youthful brother, Christopher, would once more assume day-to-day management of the group.
