Joe Douglas discussed Zach Wilson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, possible Chiefs tampering, and more
The New York Jets’ general manager has given insight into the team’s offseason plans.
At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Joe Douglas spoke about the team’s offensive line heading into free agency and the draft.
He mentioned that the release of Laken Tomlinson was the “right move for us moving forward” and was financially in the team’s best interests.
GM Joe Douglas said "it was the right move for us moving forward" and "best interest for the team financially" releasing G Laken Tomlinson.
— Caroline Hendershot (@cghendy) February 28, 2024
Douglas also dove into the team’s preliminary plans of building the offensive line this offseason.
“We just had some unbelievable meetings with our coaching staff, free agent meetings. We feel like there are three different avenues we can do this. Trade, free agency, and the draft,” said Douglas.
“Going through where we are with availability, going through the meetings we just went through, the flexibility of AVT (Alijah Vera-Tucker), we feel like there are some guys that can come in and be the right type of fit for us. ”
GM Joe Douglas on the team's plans to build along the offensive line. pic.twitter.com/kjqVNwoxfT
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 28, 2024
Regarding Vera-Tucker, the general manager said that they have not decided on picking up the USC product’s fifth-year option.
Douglas said the team has not decided where Vera-Tucker will line up but the goal is to keep him in a single position for the entire season. He also mentioned that the versatile offensive lineman is in “a great spot” with his Achilles injury recovery.
Joe Douglas said the #Jets haven’t made a decision yet on Alijah Vera-Tucker’s fifth year option.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) February 28, 2024
GM Joe Douglas says OL Alijah Vera-Tucker is in a "great place" in his rehab process and that his permanent position hasn't been decided as of yet. pic.twitter.com/zNyi94jNkR
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 28, 2024
Douglas touched on two other key storylines regarding Jets’ players. The general manager said the team will not use the franchise tag on edge rusher Bryce Huff and that he has had “good conversations” with Huff’s agent.
He also said that the Jets have given quarterback Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade, effectively confirming what was known about the BYU product’s future with the team.
#Jets GM Joe Douglas says the plan is not to use the franchise tag Bryce Huff. Says he’s had good conversations with Huff’s agent, Patrick Collins.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 28, 2024
#Jets GM Joe Douglas confirms that the team has given QB Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2024
Douglas addressed the comments from Mecole Hardman’s podcast appearance during the press conference, saying, “Those are comments that definitely resonated with us.” He also mentioned that the team was “excited” to bring Hardman in but that Xavier Gipson’s emergence changed their plans.
Joe Douglas on Mecole Hardman's comments: #Jets
"Not to get into any specifics on what Mecole said, I'll just say, look, we were excited to sign Mecole, he was excited to obviously join our team. The situation is Xavier Gipson really came on for us this year, & he did an…
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) February 28, 2024
The general manager also spoke about the team’s culture and mentality moving forward. In response to recent comments by Bills tackle Dion Dawkins, Douglas said the team needs to earn respect and that “words are meaningless.”
“We haven’t won enough, that’s obvious. But weirdly enough, I feel like the culture is in a really good place with the people that we have. We just have to go out and do it. It’s time to win; everybody knows it. It’s time to put our heads down, work, and win games.”
Joe Douglas didn’t have a response to Dion Dawkins’ comments. Said the #Jets have to earn respect.
“Words are meaningless. Well done is better than well said.”
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) February 28, 2024
"We haven't won enough, that's obvious. But weirdly enough, I feel like the culture is in a really good place. It's time to win, everybody knows it."
– Joe Douglas pic.twitter.com/yBQjP4Fidp
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) February 28, 2024
The comments from Douglas are not surprising. The Jets have to win a good number of football games this season, and to do so, they need to make upgrades, specifically on the offensive line.
As Douglas himself said, words are meaningless. It is time for the Jets to act, and their actions will determine whether or not they will be set up for success this upcoming season.
