The New York Jets have officially hit the reset button. On Tuesday, the team announced the firing of general manager Joe Douglas, ending his five-and-a-half-year tenure with the franchise.
The decision comes 42 days after the dismissal of head coach Robert Saleh, signaling owner Woody Johnson’s determination to overhaul the organization before the end of a disappointing 2024 season.
“Today, I informed Joe Douglas he will no longer serve as the general manager of the New York Jets,” Johnson said in a statement. “I want to thank Joe for his commitment to the Jets over the last six years and wish him and his family the best moving forward. Phil Savage will serve as the interim general manager for the remainder of the season, and we will begin the process to identify a new general manager immediately.”
Douglas, who was in the final year of his contract, oversaw a 3-8 team that has seen its playoff hopes vanish in a season marred by inconsistency and unmet expectations. While some believed Douglas might finish the season, Johnson opted for a swift parting, indicating a desire to begin the rebuilding process without delay.
Hired in 2019 from his role as vice president of player personnel with the Philadelphia Eagles, Douglas entered with high expectations. However, his tenure was marred by mediocrity, with the Jets posting a 30-64 record during his leadership. His best season came in his first year, with a 7-9 record and a .438 winning percentage—ironically the peak of his time in New York.
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Despite the lack of overall success, Douglas had moments of brilliance, particularly in building a formidable defense. His first draft pick as GM, Quinnen Williams, has blossomed into a cornerstone of the Jets’ defensive line. The 2022 draft class stands as his crowning achievement, featuring cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, both of whom earned Rookie of the Year honors, alongside key contributors like Breece Hall and Jermaine Johnson.
However, Douglas’ inability to solve the Jets’ long-standing quarterback issues ultimately sealed his fate. His decision to draft Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021 proved disastrous, as Wilson struggled to develop into a reliable starter. Compounding the problem, the Jets never established a credible backup plan, leaving the team vulnerable when Wilson faltered.
The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be Douglas’ signature move, transforming the Jets into instant contenders. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. Rodgers’ season-ending injury on the first drive of Week 1 derailed the team’s aspirations and left the Jets floundering with a struggling Wilson once again at the helm.
When Johnson fired Saleh in October, he praised the talent on the roster—a roster Douglas was responsible for assembling. However, even Johnson’s acknowledgment of the team’s potential couldn’t save Douglas as the Jets continued to falter, extending their playoff drought to a franchise-worst 13 seasons.
The decision to part ways with Douglas reflects Johnson’s frustration with the lack of results, particularly in a year where expectations were sky-high. Interim GM Phil Savage, who joined the organization as a senior advisor, will oversee operations for the remainder of the season, though a permanent replacement search is already underway.
Douglas leaves behind a mixed legacy: a defense that showed flashes of dominance and an offense that consistently failed to rise to the occasion. While he deserves credit for the young stars he drafted, his inability to address the most critical position in football remains the defining flaw of his tenure.
For Jets fans, the firing signals yet another reboot in a seemingly endless cycle of change. The hope is that the next general manager can finally end the drought and bring stability to one of the league’s most beleaguered franchises. For Douglas, the chapter closes on an era of unfulfilled promise, as the Jets prepare to turn the page yet again.