The New York Jets are making another major change after a one-point loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The team has fired General Manager Joe Douglas.
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NFL insider Ian Rapoport first reported the news. Jets owner Woody Johnson then confirmed the report with a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
"Today, I informed Joe Douglas he will no longer serve as the General Manager of the New York Jets," Johnson said. "I want to thank Joe for his commitment to the Jets over the last six years and wish him and his family the best moving forward.
"Phil Savage will be the Interim General Manager for the remainder of the season. We will begin the process to identify a new General Manager immediately."
The firing of Douglas is the latest change to the front office. The Jets also fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start to the season. The team named Jeff Ulbrich the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Douglas, formerly the Philadelphia Eagles vice president of player personnel, joined the New York Jets as GM in 2019. He signed a six-year deal, which provided long-term security as he tried to rebuild a franchise fresh off a 4-12 season.
Douglas partnered with head coach Adam Gase in 2019 and 2020, but the team made a change after two losing seasons. The Jets fired Gase (9-23) and hired Saleh, the defensive coordinator for the 49ers.
The Jets failed to put together a winning season in Douglas' tenure as GM. Saleh went 4-13, 7-10, 7-10, and 2-3 before his firing. Although the 2023 season was lost from Week 1 after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles.
This season began with promise for the Jets. The team had Rodgers ready to play, and the offense had weapons in Breece Hall, Mike Williams, Garrett Wilson, and Tyler Conklin.
The season started with a loss to the 49ers, but the Jets rebounded by beating the Titans and Patriots in consecutive weeks. The Jets moved to 2-1 on the season with an opportunity to contend for the AFC East crown.
The situation went downhill from that point. Rodgers and Co. have gone 1-7 since beating the Patriots, and they have struggled in the process. This is a team that only scored six points against the Cardinals.
The Jets are 26th in the NFL in total offense with an average of 294.4 yards per game. For comparison, the team ranks seventh in total defense after giving up an average of 304.9 yards per game.
