The former New York Jets GM will be back in action at the 2025 NFL draft… as a media member.
Joe Douglas is set to appear on FOX Sports Radio’s “Draft Night Live” during night one of the NFL draft. As part of the show, he will break down every pick. According to the network’s official X account, Douglas will appear alongside Jay Glazer, Jenny Taft, and LaVar Arrington.
Joe Douglas’ New York Jets GM Career
The Jets fired Douglas on November 19, 2024, shortly after the team dropped to a disappointing 3-8 record. This came less than two months after the team fired head coach Robert Saleh.
Douglas brings an extensive front-office resume to the media world. He began his NFL career with 15 years (2000-14) as a scout for the successful Baltimore Ravens organization. In Baltimore, Douglas contributed to two Super Bowl titles.
After one season (2015) as the Chicago Bears’ director of college scouting, Douglas became the Philadelphia Eagles’ vice president of player personnel. He spent four seasons (2016-19) with the Eagles, where he added a third Super Bowl title.
Douglas was hired as the Jets’ general manager in June 2019. His predecessor, Mike Maccagnan, had already led the team through free agency and the NFL draft. Douglas’ first full offseason process as the New York Jets’ GM took place in 2020.
From 2020-24, Douglas spearheaded five drafts with the Jets. Douglas had moments of triumph, particularly with his 2022 class. This group yielded Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson, and Breece Hall within the draft’s top 36 picks. Alongside other promising first-round picks like Alijah Vera-Tucker and Olu Fashanu, Douglas did a solid job of building the Jets’ nucleus with his early draft picks.
However, Douglas’ consistent failures to accumulate talent in the later rounds would cripple the depth and well-roundedness of New York’s roster.
Entering 2025, only two post-second-round picks from Douglas’ five-year tenure are projected to start for the Jets: Jamien Sherwood and Michael Carter II (Jeremy Ruckert is technically a current starter, although the Jets will likely add an upgrade at some point). Douglas’ dismal late-round drafting was a driving force in the Jets’ 25-59 record from 2020-24.
Douglas has not spoken publicly since his ouster from Florham Park in November. It will be fascinating to hear whether he offers any comments on the situation. Additionally, Jets fans will get a chance to hear his unbiased thoughts on prospects now that he is not affiliated with a team.
