Robert Saleh‘s firing (or at least the timing of the decision) came as a surprise to many inside the Jets’ organization, and it has led to speculation about further changes being on the horizon. For the time being, though, general manager Joe Douglas appears to be safe. 
The 2023 season was marred by offensive struggles, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ Week 1 Achilles tear resulted in ownership giving the franchise’s key decision-makers a mulligan. Five weeks into the current season, Saleh has been dismissed and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been stripped of play-calling duties. Plenty of attention will therefore turn to the performances of interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and passing came coordinator Todd Downing as the season unfolds.
Douglas was among the key personnel who avoided the threat of being fired after last season. Another campaign out of the playoffs would of course result in increased pressure for a front office change, but as things stand one does not appear imminent. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes owner Woody Johnson holds Douglas and Ulbrich in high regard, and they will have a 12-game audition period to create the possibility of remaining as a tandem for next year. As Fowler notes, Douglas’ contract will expire after the 2024 campaign, so his job security could change over the coming weeks.
After a lengthy tenure serving as a Ravens scout, Douglas spent a single season as the Bears’ college scouting director. That was followed by a stint as the VP of player personnel in Philadelphia and then, in 2019, his current position at the helm of the Jets. Douglas’ tenure consists of a 29-59 record with his rebuilding efforts being set back by multiple failed quarterback draft investments. The Rodgers trade acquisition was aimed at immediate contention, but after a 7-10 season (largely without him available) and a 2-3 start to the current campaign, improvement will be needed moving forward to meet that goal.
Fowler reports Johnson had “concerns” about Saleh’s leadership, adding tension was believed to exist between the fourth-year coach and the Jets. While that issue did not rise to the level of a mutiny being possible, players were known to be frustrated by the team’s consistent struggles on offense. Johnson was serving as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom when Saleh was hired, a factor which no doubt impacted his thought process before singularly deciding to replace him with Ulbrich.
The latter will be tasked with overseeing improvement on offense with Downing calling plays. Reaching the postseason would help their respective job securities while also boosting Douglas’ chances of remaining in place for a seventh season as general manager.
His quarterback handling has been rough, of course, and I’ll forever be annoyed they took Becton over Wirfs, but he’s generally drafted well, made some sharp signings, and built a strong roster. The Rodgers situation is messy, but I think they’re better off hanging onto Douglas. Now if they can only get Woody out of the building again.
Yea, another “genius” meddling owner…..
He should be fired for his QB mistakes alone. The other failures are just icing on the cake but he’s a faithful lap dog for the owner.
I heard Brett Favre wants to make a comeback. Vinny Testerverde says he’s stayed in football shape, oh sorry, that was foosball shape. Colt McCoy says as soon as he can get his orthopedic cleats he’s available. Tom Brady says Social security and Medicare be damned he’s ready. Joe Biden says, who, what, foosball, feetball, huh. Kamala Harris says, football is for feet, feetball, footballs are leather, and small businesses like leather feetballs, footballs are leather you know. Trump says, Footballs are made in China, very bad, Chinese footballs are very bad.