Most Jets fans were clear about their desire for the team to go 0-16 once it was clear that the 2020 season was going nowhere. Visau at choice no. 1 of the draft and Clemson’s star, Trevor Lawrence. Then, the Jets got a shocking 23-20 victory over the Rams on December 20, and option no. 1 went to Jacksonville.
Players and coaches celebrated. The fans smoked. But what about CEO Joe Douglas, who would have made that selection for Lawrence?
“I was happy for these guys,” Douglas said Tuesday. “It simply came to our notice then. A week before I flew to Seattle and it was a bad one. Your thought process was: how will these guys respond? Flying back to the West Coast, playing a great team in the LA Rams and basically leading from start to finish, I was so proud of the way these guys fought. They never backed down. I know how much joy and excitement there was in these guys in the locker room. There was no one on this team, no one in this organization who wanted to go between 0 and 16 and have that scarlet letter on their resume for the rest of their careers. “
This victory makes Douglas’ job harder this season. Instead of the easy decision to take Lawrence, he now has to weigh whether he will take a 2nd-place defender, such as Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, or stay with Sam Darnold.
Jets CEO and President Christopher Johnson said Monday that the team is looking for a coach to lead the entire team, a “CEO” coach. But what if the coach also wants control over the staff? This is currently Douglas’ domain.
“I think it’s a good question to ask Christopher,” Douglas said. “Finally, I think we are looking for an excellent partner to come here, to work hand in hand. We’ll lock our arms and try to get this back together. I think that’s the quality we’re looking for. “
Johnson said Monday that the team will consider changing its organizational structure for the new coach to report to GM, rather than having them as property reporting.
“For me, it’s about the person,” he said. “It simply came to our notice then. I just want to attract the right person, the right leader in this job. “
Douglas said the team wants to bring Marcus Maye back, who may become a free agent in March. Douglas said it was a priority.
Douglas said he did not speak to LB CJ Mosley, who resigned this season, but he has four years left on his contract with the Jets in 2019. Douglas said he will register Mosley soon.
Douglas lamented the safety of Jamal Adams’ trading with the Seahawks: “I’m glad Jamal has a chance to compete in the playoffs. I wish him success. I’d say we didn’t look in the rearview mirror once we made the decision on Jamal and we’re excited about what we could get in the way for him. Now it’s time to find the right players with the resources we’ve acquired in the trade. “