Despite a tumultuous 2023 season, a new report indicates the New York Jets’ current regime will return next season
The New York Jets do not appear to be on the verge of sweeping changes.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there is no indication that owner Woody Johnson will make changes to their current regime. It stated that head coach Robert Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett are all expected to return next season.
#Jets set for do-over in 2024.
Sources say there is no indication owner Woody Johnson will make a change, a sign that coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas will be back.
My story: https://t.co/Utkp0OrhbGhttps://t.co/Utkp0OrhbG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2023
Unsurprisingly, the Jets are opting to stick with their current decision-makers. The early-season Achilles injury to Aaron Rodgers was a blow that the team ultimately never recovered from, causing all expectations and excitement to disappear immediately.
Yet, there is a legitimate argument that the Jets should move on from Saleh, Douglas, and Hackett.
For Saleh, the Jets have collapsed down the stretch in two straight seasons. The team’s positional coaches on offense have been lackluster, and neither offensive coordinator hired under Saleh has worked for the team to this point.
Furthermore, questionable personnel decisions have been made throughout Saleh’s tenure, specifically at the quarterback position. He has also struggled with in-game choices and time management decisions.
As bad as Saleh has been at times, he is not at fault for all of the Jets’ issues.
Despite some great moves, such as the Jamal Adams trade, drafting the likes of Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, and signing D.J. Reed, Joe Douglas has contributed to many of the team’s issues.
The general manager has struggled drastically in free agency. His record is littered with poor signings, including Laken Tomlinson, Allen Lazard, and Dalvin Cook among many others.
More importantly, Douglas has failed to fix the team’s primary needs. The offensive line is arguably just as bad as when he took over the team, missing on the multiple draft picks and signings that were meant to remodel the unit.
Outside of Garrett Wilson, Douglas has not done enough to address the skill positions on the roster. Elijah Moore is already on a new team, and Douglas has taken minimal chances on the wide receiver position in free agency and the draft.
Furthermore, Douglas has struggled massively when it comes to quarterback. He never provided any competition for Zach Wilson in his first two seasons, whether through a late-round selection or a legitimate veteran option. He did not address the backup spot once the Jets landed Rodgers, leaving Wilson as the QB2 in a year he was supposed to “sit and learn.”
Hackett is not absolved of any blame and arguably is one of the worst culprits in the team’s lost season.
Between inconsistent play calling, confusing personnel usage, and a lack of modern strategy and mentality, the offense is not nearly competitive enough.
There is an avenue where the Jets find success in 2024. With some positive offseason additions and a returning Rodgers, the team has a great chance to break its playoff drought and be ultra-competitive.
But with the team’s current regime, it should not be expected that the Jets will reach their ultimate potential.
You are what your record is, and at 16-32 and 25-55, respectively, Saleh and Douglas have not been good enough.
There is room for the current Jets’ regime to improve, but barring a drastic turnaround, there should be plenty of skepticism for them to find sustained success.
