The New York Jets are on reset after team owner Woody Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas. The move came six weeks after the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh and after the Jets fell to 3-8 after losing to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Jets hired Douglas before the 2019 season and signed him to a six-year contract. Before joining New York’s AFC team, he was the Philadelphia Eagles’ vice president of player personnel. He was also a long-time scout for the Baltimore Ravens. He is a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams, two with Baltimore and one with Philadelphia.
While the Jets have struggled throughout Douglas's tenure, he found talented prospects through the draft. In the first draft he facilitated for the Jets, Douglas found defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro selection. The Jets made him the cornerstone of their defensive line by signing him to a four-year, $96 million contract extension.
More change in New York: Jets now have fired GM Joe Douglas, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2024
Last month, head coach Robert Saleh. Now, Douglas.
It’s a complete reboot for the Jets. pic.twitter.com/gmjl5PIQPb
Douglas drafted Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, and Breece Hall in their first four picks in 2022. Gardner became the Defensive Rookie of the Year and an All-Pro cornerback, while Wilson won Offensive Rookie of the Year. Johnson became a Pro Bowler, while Hall has been the Jets’ lead running back.
In his final draft with the Jets, Douglas selected offensive tackle Olu Fashanu and running back Braelon Allen, who made an impact in their rookie seasons. However, despite amassing a talented roster, the Jets have had a 27-56 record since 2019.
Phil Savage, a former GM for the Cleveland Browns, will take over as the Jets’ interim GM.
-Lance Fernandez