Given a mulligan for the Jets‘ Aaron Rodgers-less 2023 season, Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas did not make it too far into the 2024 campaign. The latter did not have a good working relationship during his final year in charge, seeing Woody Johnson (and, apparently, his sons) influence Jets personnel moves. Johnson had largely stripped power from Douglas during the GM’s final months in New York. As it turns out, Douglas’ frustration with Johnson predates 2024. The five-plus-year Jets GM had expressed dismay at one of Woody Johnson’s sons, Brick, scouring the internet and seeing those opinions (through Woody Johnson) make it back to Douglas, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes.
This situation may or may not have influenced Douglas to decline a Jets extension proposed more than a year ago. While Pauline stops short of confirming that, the veteran draft-based reporter indicates many informed him that was the case. Douglas “did not like or respect” Woody Johnson for years during his Jets run, Pauline adds. As the Jets have begun their GM and HC searches, they may have considerable explaining to do about the owner and his family’s influence on the team.
Entering Week 18, here is the latest from around the NFL’s front offices:
- The Dolphins gave Mike McDaniel an extension this past summer, and no rumors have pointed to the young HC needing to be too concerned about his job security. Rumblings are emerging, however, pertaining to the status of GM Chris Grier. In his sixth season with full autonomy in Miami, Grier is in his ninth season as GM. Miami is a place to monitor regarding a potential GM change, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. Grier essentially won a power struggle with Brian Flores three years ago and has overseen back-to-back playoff appearances since, which would make it rather surprising if ownership made a change this coming offseason.
- Chris Ballard was believed to be on solid ground going into Week 17, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. That aligns with a Thursday report that pointed to Ballard being more likely than not to be retained. Though, the Colts losing to a two-win Giants team — in a game that reminded of the 2021 team’s undoing in a win-and-in opportunity in Jacksonville as two-touchdown favorites — did not exactly provide assurance the team is headed in a good direction. With Ballard set to be just 2-for-8 in playoff berths as Indianapolis honcho, this situation will also be one to monitor over the next few days.
- Tennessee’s post-Mike Vrabel season has gone quite poorly, with Ran Carthon‘s Titans operation sitting 3-13. But no major changes are expected this year. Brian Callahan is on track to stay for a second season as HC, and Fowler indicates a good energy — the 13 losses notwithstanding — is present around an organization run by Carthon, Callahan and VP of football operations Chad Brinker. Next season, then, figures to be Carthon’s regime can be truly evaluated. A clash with ownership drove Vrabel out of Nashville, and an improvement will almost definitely be required for Callahan in 2025. What remains to be seen is how much improvement will be necessary for Carthon.
- The Bears have used search firms in the past to help determine their coaching hires, but it appears the team will leave this year’s search to its front office. No consultant is on track to come in and shepherd Chicago’s HC search, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. The team did take that route in 2015 and 2022, respectively bringing in John Fox and Matt Eberflus. GM Ryan Poles was not in place when the Eberflus search started, signing on late in that process. With considerable input from president Kevin Warren on tap, Poles will lead this year’s Bears search.
I think Douglas will be a very good GM for a more functional organization some day. As a Jets fan, I wish it was possible for him to win a power struggle against the Johnsons.
Grier should have been fired when Flores was, if not sooner. Instead, the strength of McDaniel allowed Grier to go all-in on last year’s Dolphins team. Still a good team, but terrible line, spotty defensive personnel, and heavily leveraged in high priced players with significant injury concerns. Trading a first rounder to rent Chubb and then giving him that much money was an obvious mistake at the time if you didn’t have the memory of a goldfish.
Poles needs to go. I’m hoping they’re waiting till Monday to can him, but in true Bears fashion they won’t.
Agreed, Poles failed the test last season. Bears have one last chance to save this iteration of the franchise, gotta start over at GM. I’d personally trade Caleb this offseason and start completely over.
Sorry, what? Trade a talented rookie franchise QB? To “start over”? What do you think starting over means? Cut back on the herb.
Sorry but I don’t think Poles is going anywhere. But anyway it finally sounds like the Bears are going to do it the right way at least. Whether the guys who are doing it are the right guys is a whole other question.
Guys an idiot or a troll
The people posting on social media about the Bears and who to blame have no fcking clue about the sport. I agree with you
Disagree 1000%. Poles was handed Eberflus, whom hired Getsy then Waldron, and Alan Williams. Poles has built this team back up with a talented, young QB and defense. Year 3 can significantly address the offensive line and continue adding pieces. Hopefully McCaskey and Warren stay out of football business especially the hiring of a HC and this team can easily win 9-11 games next year.
and yet you give no reason why. I’m glad you aren’t running the team!
“…that reminded…” = “…reminiscent of…”
Ernie Acorsi proved he was awful as a head coach search consultant. The Bears ownership is dumb, but not dumb enough to hire him a third time.
The Bears aren’t firing Poles. If they were smart they would have done it when they fired Eberflus. Looking for a GM now and HC is too much for Warren.
It was a consultant firm that recommended Hue Jackson to the Browns so I think teams are better off saving the money and doing the homework themselves.
I cannot imagine working for an owner like Woody Johnson. Going all the way back to the Belichek days, he has been hated on all levels. Belichek had the HC job and yet STILL turned it down rather than work for him. And when you hear the junk that has been going on the past few years, even more with his son Brick (what a name!) getting involved. What HC or GM worth a thing is going to want to try and run that organization? Then throw in the fact that you’ll prolly have Karen Rogers still left to deal with? Good luck Jets fans, you’re in for a nice long road!