During this time of year, the New York Jets are accustomed to a fleeting sense of optimism before the harsh reality sets in, typically somewhere between training camp and the onset of the regular season. However, this year, the Jets find themselves deprived even of this brief respite.
Reports from NFL Network’s Colleen Wolfe suggest a tense exchange occurred between team owner Woody Johnson and head coach Robert Saleh during the annual league meetings in Orlando.
Though not labeled as an outright argument by Wolfe, the encounter evidently reached a level of discomfort that lingered throughout a party on Sunday night.
Local reporter Conner Hughes, covering the Jets for SNY, contested the details of the reported altercation, leaving the truth of the matter somewhat elusive. Nevertheless, whispers of discord between Saleh and the team’s ownership have been circulating.
Speculation about the potential dismissal of Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas surfaced following the Jets’ disastrous 2023 season. Johnson dispelled these rumors in December, assuring the New York Post that there would be no changes in the team’s leadership.
Johnson himself has admitted to moments of frustration with Saleh and Douglas. At the NFL Honors award ceremony in Las Vegas last February, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington probed Johnson about the team’s disappointing performance in 2023.
The discussions I’ve had in the last couple of months, they’ve seen me about as mad as I can be with what was going on, with the offense particularly,” Johnson said. “We have all this talent, and we have to deploy talent properly. So I think they all got the message. This is it. This is the time to go. We’ve got to produce this year. We have to do a lot better than seven [wins], definitely.”
Saleh arrived as head coach after a successful stint as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, where he played a pivotal role in shaping one of the league’s most formidable defenses. This defensive prowess has somewhat carried over to the Jets, who have managed to trouble opposing quarterbacks. However, offensive struggles persist.
The acquisition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers last offseason ignited Super Bowl aspirations for the Jets. The ensuing media frenzy, including a feature on HBO’s Hard Knocks series, amplified the anticipation.
However, the excitement was short-lived as Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury a mere four snaps into the season. With no capable backup quarterback, offensive cohesion quickly unraveled, resulting in the Jets ranking near the bottom in various offensive metrics, including scoring and total yards.
Under Saleh’s tenure, the New York Jets have compiled an 18-33 record over three seasons, while Douglas has overseen a 27-60 record during his tenure as general manager. The team’s playoff drought stretches back 13 years, the longest among all major sports leagues in North America.
As the 2024 NFL Draft looms, Douglas faces immense pressure to make astute selections, while Saleh must find a solution to revitalize the team’s offense, irrespective of Rodgers’ health status or potential career shifts. Failure to do so could spell the end for both Douglas and Saleh by the following offseason.
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