Questions Joe Douglas will need to address during NFL Scouting Combine
INDIANAPOLIS — It feels like an eternity since the Jets and general manager Joe Douglas last spoke to the media on Jan. 8.
Since then, assistant general manager Rex Hogan and the Jets parted ways. Also, director of player personnel Chad Alexander left the Jets to become the new assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Then there was an article by The Athletic detailing the Jets organization’s dysfunction last season. And I haven’t even gotten to the needs the Jets have to address this offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Following a second consecutive 7-10 season, the pressure is on for Douglas and coach Robert Saleh to lead the Jets to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Before that, Douglas will speak to NFL prospects before they participate in this week’s scouting combine.
Douglas will speak to the media on Wednesday and here are some of the questions he must address.
WHAT’S THE JETS’ PLAN TO IMPROVE OL?
On Monday night, the Jets released veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson after two seasons with the team. Although Tomlinson’s tenure with the Jets was underwhelming, his departure creates another void on their offensive line.
Now Gang Green will need to find three starters on the line this offseason. Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton, who were the opening-day starters at left and right tackle, will both be free agents at the start of the new league year on March 13.
The only two starters remaining from last year’s team are center Joe Tippmann and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury he suffered last October. Vera-Tucker has played every position but center for the Jets and could be an option at right tackle.
Gang Green could put Carter Warren at right tackle, but he played just eight games and 401 snaps during his rookie season. Carter allowed five sacks over that span.
In terms of the free agent tackles, it is slim pickings. Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith, Patriots tackle Trent Brown, and Chiefs tackle Donovan Smith are probably the best of the group, but they come with age and injury concerns.
WHAT DID DOUGLAS THINK OF WOODY JOHNSON’S COMMENTS?
During this month’s NFL Honors, Jets owner Woody Johnson put Douglas and Saleh both on blast after saying he was disappointed following a second consecutive 7-10 campaign.
“They’ve seen me about as mad as I could be with what was going on with the offense particularly,” Johnson said. “We’ve got all this talent and we’ve got to deploy talent properly.
“I think they all got the message. We’ve got to produce this year. This is not a playoff mandate, but we have to do a lot better than seven wins.”
The pressure is on for Douglas and Saleh to lead the Jets to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The team hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2015 (10-6). Douglas was hired in 2019 and during that time, the Jets have compiled a 27-56-0 record during his five seasons as general manager.
Following Aaron Rodgers Achilles’ injury, both Douglas and Saleh received a mulligan after the team went all in to acquire the four-time NFL MVP. But Douglas and Saleh would unlikely be afforded the same luxury if another losing season occurs.
HOW IS RODGERS PROGRESSING?
The Jets added Rodgers to the 53-man roster despite the fact he was still less than 100% following his Achilles tear in the season opener against the Bills. However, that allowed him to practice with the rest of the team.
With them already eliminated from playoff contention, putting Rodgers on the field didn’t make much sense. But expect Douglas to be asked how Rodgers is progressing more than five months after his surgery.
The Jets 2024 season largely depends on how Rodgers performs. We’ve seen the Jets’ offense without Rodgers, and it wasn’t pretty. Gang Green was 31st in yards (268.6) and 29th in points per game (15.8).
DOUGLAS’ THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ATHLETIC ARTICLE?
In an article released by The Athletic last month about the Jets, an anonymous coach called the organization “such a f—ing mess.”
Mess and Jets rhymes and those words have been synonymous with the organization for the last 14 years. The article also said the Jets and Douglas rely on Rodgers to make critical organizational decisions.
“Rodgers isn’t the assistant GM,’” one AFC general manager said. ‘Joe Douglas is the assistant GM.’”
It isn’t uncommon for teams to rely on star quarterbacks to help shape a roster. But ultimately, the decision-making should come down to Douglas with the help of Saleh.
If last year is any indication, Rodgers’ voice in the building regarding roster decisions should be taken with a grain of salt. Rodgers and Saleh both denied the reports of the quarterback giving the team a “wish list” of players he wanted the Jets to acquire.
But they did sign a few of Rodgers’ friends, including wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, quarterback Tim Boyle, and offensive lineman Billy Turner.
Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million contract last offseason. He finished the season with 23 receptions for 311 yards and a touchdown. He was also inactive (healthy scratch) for the Jets’ season-finale victory against the Patriots.
Cobb registered 25 catches for 375 yards and a touchdown. Turner was the Jets’ swing tackle but struggled in that role. And Boyle, who became the Jets backup quarterback and later starter, was released after throwing for 360 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions in three games.
The Athletic story aired out the Jets organization. Now it’s make-or-break time for Douglas, Saleh, and even Rodgers.
WHAT CAN JETS GET FOR ZACH WILSON?
Zach Wilson‘s days with the Jets are numbered.
The Jets are expected to trade the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft this offseason. Last year was supposed to be a redshirt season for Wilson after struggling his first two seasons. But Wilson was once again thrust into the starting role following Rodgers’ injury.
He finished with a 4-7 record with eight touchdowns, seven interceptions, 2,271 yards and a completion percentage of 60.1% in 2023. The Jets could agree to trade Wilson now, but the deal wouldn’t be official until the new league year on March 13. He is scheduled to make $5.7 million in the final year of his contract.
Wilson’s fifth-year option could be exercised, but it is highly unlikely any team would do so after throwing 6.293 yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in three seasons.
There will be several teams looking for a backup quarterback this offseason, like the Rams, Broncos, and Titans. Going somewhere off the grid would be wise for Wilson after spending three seasons in the New York area.
My guess is Wilson will be dealt for a six-round pick.
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