The Jets have fired general manager Joe Douglas, as first reported by SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes.
Douglas was in his sixth season with the Jets, with the team posting a 30-64 record, without a playoff appearance, during his tenure.
With head coach Robert Saleh fired five games into the season and the team continuing to struggle, the writing appeared to be on the wall that Douglas would not be back for next season.
During his tenure, Douglas drafted key pieces like Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, Breece Hall, Will McDonald and others, but he also had misses like Zach Wilson and Mekhi Becton, two first-round picks who are no longer with the team.
Douglas also brought in veteran stars like Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and Tyron Smith, but the roster never fit together as planned, and the club has not been able to build the winning culture that Douglas hoped to achieve.
Douglas’ departure also raises the question as to what comes next for Rodgers. Hughes previously reported that “stability is believed to be the deciding factor on Rodgers returning for a third year with the Jets.”
“That means [interim head coach Jeff] Ulbrich and Joe Douglas retaining their positions,” Hughes wrote. “Rodgers reaffirmed that this week when he said he hopes to play for Ulbrich ‘until the end.’ If they are gone, Rodgers is believed to be, too, as the organization ushers in a fresh start – including the quarterback position. That does not mean Rodgers will retire (though, it’s not impossible), but his time with the Jets could end.”
