Aaron Rodgers Future With Jets Unclear After Team Fires GM Joe Douglas
New York football may be at an all-time low point, and it doesn’t appear to be turning around any time soon.
The New York Jets announced Tuesday they were firing general manager Joe Douglas after six seasons at the helm of the franchise. The team sits at 3-8 on the season, tied for last place in the AFC East in a season in which they were expected to be championship contenders. While plenty of personnel and players (including future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers) deserve blame, Douglas takes the fall for assembling a team that has underperformed significantly in 2024.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 19, 2024
Now GM Joe Douglas is fired by the #Jets. And it’s the bye week. No wonder why he is not meeting with reporters this week. This season is beyond awful and beyond bizarre! Who is running the show now ?
— Bruce Beck (@BruceBeck4NY) November 19, 2024
The #Jets’ shot at turning it around with Aaron Rodgers ended when he tore his achilles. As much as GM Joe Douglas tried to fortify the roster for Rodgers’ return this season, what he couldn’t predict was that Rodgers would be as much of the problem as anyone else on the roster.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 19, 2024
The squads Douglas assembled have been polarizing. He went 30-64 in his time as GM but put together a team last year that could have been a playoff team had Rodgers not torn his Achilles tendon on the first drive of the 2023 season.
Joe Douglas drafted Garrett Wilson.
Joe Douglas drafted Sauce Gardner.
Joe Douglas drafted Breece Hall.
Joe Douglas drafted Will McDonald.
Joe Douglas drafted Braelon Allen.
Joe Douglas drafted Jermaine Johnson.
Joe Douglas drafted Michael Carter II.And the Jets just fired him.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) November 19, 2024
Rodgers has worn much of the criticism this season though. He has thrown for 2,442 yards,17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, but has been criticized for his lack of urgency and inability to form chemistry with his talented wide receivers corps.
The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh earlier in the season, and went 1-6 after under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who Rodgers has advocated for. So it begs the question: who could be next to helm a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 14 years, the longest active streak in major American professional sports? The football community is split.
The 2024 New York Jets are one of the biggest jokes in NFL history.
Everyone gets held accountable besides Aaron Rodgers.
My guess is Rodgers is back next year and whoever replaces Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas will be emasculated until Aaron is off the team. pic.twitter.com/x5PRIRgC2r
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) November 19, 2024
Dear Woody Johnson @woodyjohnson4
In lieu of Joe Douglas’ firing today, please consider this my official application for Senior Advisor to the GM, New York Jets.
As my first order of business, I have compiled a serious list of candidates for the vacated GM position:
1. Ray… pic.twitter.com/JyMrMg82r0
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) November 19, 2024
Okay, after firing Joe Douglas, I feel even stronger about HOFer Curtis Martin being the one to bring credibility and respect to the Jets as president of football ops. Again: Not as the GM. No player personnel decisions. Martin doesn’t follow game like that. But he knows what a… https://t.co/sDCU8OeZ3g
— Gary Myers (@GaryMyersNY) November 19, 2024
It is widely believed Rodgers has a significant say in the direction of the franchise, but there is also a realistic chance he could choose to move on following the season. He has indicated he plans to play next year at age 42, but whether or not that is with the Jets remains to be seen.
With a totally new regime in 2025, it likely means Aaron Rodgers won’t be back. A new GM and new HC will probably want their own QB. Rodgers has a good relationship with Douglas, and last week he advocated for Jeff Ulbrich — and it’s hard to imagine him wanting to even be back.…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 19, 2024
Should he return, Rodgers will be a $23.5 million hit on the salary cap for New York next season.
