New York Jets fire general manager Joe Douglas

The New York Jets (3-8) have fired general manager Joe Douglas, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Tuesday.

Douglas, named general manager in 2019, is out of a job as the Jets have underperformed to expectations this season. He was in the last year of his contract. The Jets went a disappointing 30-64 during Douglas’ tenure, never finishing at or above .500 in six seasons. New York is riding a 13-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Team owner Woody Johnson said that senior football advisor Phil Savage will serve as the interim general manager for the remainder of the season.

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— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 19, 2024

“Today, I informed Joe Douglas he will no longer serve as the General Manager of the New York Jets,” Johnson said in a statement. “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 Jets, thought to be a Super Bowl contender with Aaron Rodgers back under center after missing the 2023 season with an Achilles injury, have dropped seven of their last eight games following a 2-1 start. Head coach Robert Saleh was fired after the Week 5 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) in London, and with Douglas now out the door, it’s a full teardown in New York — again.

Jets go into reset mode after firing Joe Douglas

Despite the on-field inconsistencies during his regime, Douglas leaves the Jets as the franchise’s fourth longest-tenured general manager. Among his best moves: Drafting offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, cornerback Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson, defensive end Jermaine Johnson, running back Breece Hall and defensive end Will McDonald IV.

Of course, the defining moment of Douglas’ time as general manager was landing Rodgers in a trade from the Green Bay Packers (7-3). Despite having the four-time NFL MVP, the Jets have the 26th-ranked offense this season. The offensive line has been an issue, as it has been for years, with Rodgers sacked 26 times. Quarterback and offensive line were Douglas’ key misses, as he missed on offensive tackle Mekhi Becton in 2020 and quarterback Zach Wilson in 2021.

Schefter explained New York’s rationale for firing Douglas during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“Joe Douglas had some great draft picks in New York,” Schefter said. “Had some misses. Zach Wilson No. 2, they could have kept Sam Darnold that year. And they could’ve traded that pick and go back and look at the people who were available with the second overall pick in that draft.

“We can do this for any GM and any draft and any team. But you’ve got a situation where it’s a tough job in a tough market with a tough organization with a tough owner, who’s obviously unhappy with the way things are going right now.”