The NY Jets are expected to undergo somewhat of an organizational reset in the offseason. That includes bringing in a new head coach, a new general manager, and possibly a new quarterback. Current general manager Joe Douglas is well aware that he’s on borrowed time.
Douglas entered the 2024 season on the final year of the six-year contract he signed with the Jets back in 2019. The Jets likely won’t “fire” Douglas — at least technically speaking — but the two sides are expected to go their separate ways in the offseason once his contract expires.
The expectation is that the Jets and Douglas will part ways once the season ends, per a recent report from uSTADIUM. The report goes on to state that Douglas is eyeing a return to the Baltimore Ravens and has “already started looking for real estate in the Baltimore area.”
This should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the Jets this season. Barring a miracle turnaround, the Jets will miss the postseason for the 14th consecutive year. Douglas has been GM for nearly half that time.
Douglas has amassed a dismal 30-63 record since taking over as Jets GM. That record ranks 105th out of 107 NFL executives to spend at least five years with one organization since 1977. He’s statistically one of the worst general managers in NFL history.
Despite being given more games than Mike Maccagnan and John Idzik — his two universally panned predecessors — combined, Douglas has a worse record than each of them.
This isn’t to say that Douglas hasn’t had his share of positive moves. Jets owner Woody Johnson insisted the 2024 Jets had one of the most talented rosters in franchise history earlier in the season, and while the roster might have been a little overhyped, it’s clear they’re capable of much more.
Douglas has constructed a talented Jets roster, but at a certain point, you are what your record says you are. From his failures to build a competent offensive line to his quarterback whiffs, Douglas deserves blame for his team’s shortcomings.
In spite of this, Douglas is still held in high regard around the NFL and should have no trouble finding another job. It won’t be as a general manager — at least not at this time — but Douglas has connections to the Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles organizations and should be in high demand for a front-office role somewhere.
Douglas previously spent 15 years as a scout for the Ravens from 2000-2014 and remains close with longtime Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome. Newsome is currently the Ravens’ executive vice president of player personnel.
Douglas’s fate was likely sealed the moment Woody Johnson overruled him to fire then-head coach Robert Saleh. Since that day, Johnson has been the one running the show in Florham Park. Douglas has realistically been coasting for weeks, evidently searching for future job opportunities.
It’s the Wild West in Florham Park at the moment. Joe Douglas is looking for homes near his next job. Woody Johnson is preparing for a return to the world of politics. All while the Jets continue to flounder and go through the motions. It’s time for a reset, and that starts with the front office.
