FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Joe Douglas is aware of the precariousness of his position as the general manager for the New York Jets, given the recent challenges the team has faced. The most notable concern is the firing of the only head coach Douglas played a role in hiring, and the decision being made without his input by owner Woody Johnson.
“The record doesn’t lie. We’re currently at 3-6, and naturally, there’s a lot of frustration surrounding that,” Douglas stated, addressing reporters for the first time this season. He emphasized the importance of taking responsibility, saying, “It starts with me. Looking back, there are certainly aspects I could have handled differently. Especially after significant changes occur, it prompts a lot of self-reflection on what I could have done to avoid this situation.”
Nevertheless, Douglas remains optimistic and highlighted the potential that remains for the Jets in the upcoming games to shift the current narrative. Throughout his nine-minute discussion with the media outside the team facility, he repeatedly stressed his commitment to helping the Jets improve their second-half performance, particularly with Aaron Rodgers aiming for better results after a rocky start to the season filled with Super Bowl aspirations.
Since Douglas took over for Mike Maccagnan in June 2019, the Jets have a record of 30-62 and have not made a playoff appearance during his tenure, edging closer to an NFL record for the longest active playoff drought—14 seasons. Regardless of the external pressures, he professes confidence regarding his job security and focuses on the present.
“I come in every day trying to assist this team in reaching its goals,” he remarked. “Whatever happens afterward is beyond my control.”
The Jets have certainly experienced their share of upheavals this season. After an uneven start at 2-3, Johnson decided to part ways with head coach Robert Saleh, marking the first midseason coaching change in his two decades as owner. Notably, Saleh was initially hired by Johnson’s brother Christopher while Woody served as the U.S. ambassador to the UK, a position that could return to him should Trump be elected again. On October 8, Johnson opted for a switch, appointing defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach.
When pressed, Douglas refrained from disclosing his views on the decision to dismiss Saleh. “I won’t get into specifics or discussions surrounding that matter,” he said. “Woody and I communicate daily, but ultimately I work at the owner’s discretion. My primary objective is to assist this team in reaching its championship goals.”
In the wake of Saleh’s dismissal, Douglas made some noteworthy moves, including acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams, who was reunited with his former Green Bay teammate Rodgers. Additionally, edge rusher Haason Reddick joined the squad after a prolonged holdout, and wide receiver Mike Williams was traded to the Steelers before the trade deadline.
The Jets recently notched a 21-13 victory against Houston, snapping a five-game losing streak, and are set to face the Arizona Cardinals this coming Sunday. Douglas shared, “Brick (Ulbrich) delivered a powerful message on Monday, reminding everyone that while we didn’t start as planned, the goals we set are still attainable.”
He refrained from commenting on his future discussions with Johnson, emphasizing their daily conversations center primarily on the next game. However, Douglas admitted that the last month’s turmoil has felt like a rollercoaster ride.
“Certainly, there have been many ups and downs. A five-game losing streak and losing Robert was hard on everyone,” Douglas acknowledged. “But I believe there’s strong resilience within this organization, which was evident in the second half of our last game, and I hope that energy carries us forward.”