Woody Johnson Makes the Right Call for 2024
It certainly wasn’t the news many fans hoped for on Christmas Eve.
New York Jets' owner Woody Johnson told Brian Costello of the New York Post that his team would retain general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh for the 2024 season.
“I think we’ve had some very positive moves,” Johnson told the Post. “The culture of the team is a lot better. The defense is better. The offense needs a few pieces.”
Gang Green’s owner explained that, despite the 6-9 record, continuity with Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be key. New York lost Rodgers four plays into his Jets debut after an offseason of hype that led to many predicting the organization could be closer to a Super Bowl.
Without Rodgers, and many offensive line injuries, the Jets crumbled throughout 2023. They have gone through four starting quarterbacks for the second straight year, and are just 3-3 when holding teams to under 20 points this season.
It’s their dynamic defense, and some other stars on offense, that give the Jets executives the belief that they can turn around their season next year with the four-time NFL MVP back on the field.
“Like I said a year ago, we need a quarterback,” Johnson said. “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. It makes the line better, the receivers better.”
Johnson’s decision, and thought process regarding Saleh and Douglas are correct. The Jets haven’t reached the playoffs in the last 13 seasons. They have had a losing record in the last eight years.
Fans may not like it, but stability is incredibly important in this league.
The issue with Gang Green in 2023, despite what many people will argue, is that injuries derailed another season. There aren’t many teams in the NFL that can lose a Hall-of-Fame quarterback and use 13 different linemen while still winning consistently.
It simply doesn’t happen.
Based on that fundamental truth, it doesn’t make sense to marry a coaching and front office staff to a decision that another group had made. It makes sense to allow Rodgers, Saleh, and Douglas to try and correct this thing the right way with the All-Pro quarterback actually playing.
Of course, Saleh did not help his candidacy overall on Sunday, even with the win. The Jets led 27-7 in the first half against the Washington Commanders but almost gave the game away late. A 54-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein saved the team from an embarrassing collapse hours after Johnson’s defense of his staff.
What would have happened if the Jets ended up blowing the game and getting into the top five of the NFL Draft in April?
That is a question that no longer has to be answered. The fact of the matter is that the Jets have not fractured as many predicted in the locker room, and they will have plenty of ammo to improve the team in both the Draft and free agency.
Johnson’s seal of approval is certainly a sign that he believes in the staff, but it means that 2024 has become a mandate that applies instant pressure to everyone in 1 Jets Drive.
If Saleh and Douglas are safe now, those conversations can certainly change if the losing doesn’t stop with Rodgers back on the field. The 2023 season may be over for the Jets in their quest to end their playoff drought, but the next few weeks could be an important time to build momentum going into the offseason.
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