With the football world clamoring over the Jets cutting RB Le’veon Bell, New York has sunk into the lowest depths of mediocrity. Rumors have circulated that they are intentionally tanking to get Clemson’s Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, as they head into week 7 with the worst record in the league, following wins from the Giants and Falcons. Adam Gase has become a punchline in the tri-state area, similar to how Rich Kotite was in the 1990s. One name that has avoided criticism for the dysfunction has been GM Joe Douglas, who is tasked with cleaning up the mess that Mike Maccagnan left when he was fired. It’s clear that it will take longer than expected.
When Douglas was hired by the Jets in June of 2019, this was after the Jets had already signed players in free agency in March and drafted in April. With that in mind, many of the signings and draftees, such as Le’veon Bell and CJ Mosley, were not Douglas’s doing. Joe Douglas’s rebuild of the Jets began with the 2020 free agency, signing George Fant, Greg Van Roten, and Connor McGovern to bolster a terrible offensive line. They also drafted Mekhi Becton, who currently looks like the best lineman from that first round of the 2020 draft and like a franchise left tackle. Outside of the offensive line, they still had one of the best drafts of any team in 2020, getting many well-regarded players from scouts such as Denzel Mims, Ashtyn Davis, and Lamical Perine. By most standards, Douglas’s first offseason was successful.
The cut of Le’veon Bell was an inevitability for Douglas. As the NFL moves away from spending large amounts of money on the running back position, this was erasing a dumb move by Maccagnan with a dead money hit that can be taken during a lost season. While CJ Mosley was drafted by the Ravens while Joe Douglas was a scout in Baltimore, he probably would not have spent that much money on him like Maccagnan did. Douglas was a scout for the Ravens for both of their Super Bowls, as well as the vice president of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles for their last super bowl in 2018. Both are not bad organizations to pull front office guys from, as both have found formulas for success. Douglas can bring that formula to the Jets and establish a winning culture there.
It seems far off, but as the Jets are at their lowest point, the only way they can go is up. As Douglas’s first draft class begins to make their mark, it is now time for them to get as many picks as possible, starting with safety and Jet fan favorite Marcus Maye. Unless they get floored with a trade, Quinnen Williams is an unlikely but often named candidate. Jamison Crowder and Breshaud Perriman are also candidates if the right trade is there. Douglas has his work cut out for him as far as the direction he can go with these players.
Many Jets fans have cautiously put their trust into their new GM, and while it is still early, he has begun to fix the offensive line and drafted well. This process will clearly take time to clean up past problems, but the Jets are currently in position to get the first overall pick and take the best-rated QB since Peyton Manning. With more money freed up, they should sign better players that fit the system. They will also conduct a better coaching search to help find the guy to take Douglas’s players to the next level. While things look bad with gang green now, the future should look brighter come this offseason, when Joe Douglas can work his magic.
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