Jets bringing back Douglas, Saleh in 2024
The New York Jets are going to run things back in 2024.
The AFC East franchise will retain head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas for the 2024 season, owner Woody Johnson told the New York Post's Brian Costello.
"My decision is to keep them," Johnson said Sunday. "I think we've had some very positive moves. The culture of the team is a lot better. The defense is better. The offense needs a few pieces."
Johnson explained that his motive for sticking with Saleh and Douglas is to "keep the continuity going with Aaron (Rodgers)."
The Jets have struggled since Rodgers went down early in Week 1 with an Achilles tear. The club has a 5-9 record and would own the No. 7 draft pick if the season ended today. The executive believes the signal-caller's absence is a big reason for New York's struggles.
"Like I said a year ago, we need a quarterback," Johnson added. "We had a quarterback for four plays. Since then we haven't been able to replace him. If we have a good quarterback, it makes everybody's job easier."
Saleh joined the Jets in 2021 and owns a 16-32 record through 48 games.
Douglas took over the team's general manager position in 2019 after spending several seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles' vice president of player personnel.
The 47-year-old has delivered mixed results through the draft and free agency. Douglas' notable moves since joining New York include drafting Zach Wilson No. 2 overall in 2021, selecting Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson with the fourth and tenth overall picks, respectively, in 2022, and signing wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44-million deal before the 2023 campaign.
Douglas was also responsible for trading for Rodgers, who vocalized his support for the trio despite the team's issues this season.
"I believe in the leadership that we have here," Rodgers said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," per Rapoport. "I believe in our guys. It's not a situation where we have to rebuild. We need to reload a little bit, and there'll be some tough decisions. I like the pieces that we have in place."
It was also reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that there was no indication that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would be fired.
Hackett has been one of the league's most scrutinized coaches since his tenure as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. The Jets' offense ranks 32nd in yards per game (255.1) and averages the third-fewest points per contest (14.4) this season.