Jets Concern Over Coaching, Front Office Exodus?
When offensive assistant Mack Brown chose to take the tight end coordinator role in Seattle, he became the fourth assistant coach to leave the New York Jets this offseason - on top of two other executives in the front office.
Here's a full list for those who have forgotten at this point:
- QB Coach Rob Calabrese - LA Rams Offensive Assistant
- RB Coach Taylor Embree - New England Patriots RB Coach
- WR Coach Zach Azzanni - Pittsburgh Steelers WR Coach
- Offensive Assistant Mack Brown - Seattle Seahawks TE Coach
- Assistant GM Rex Hogan - No Position
- Director Player Personnel Chad Alexander - LA Chargers Assistant GM
© Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Now, while many fans may not agree, the Jets losing plenty of assistants to other teams isn't as uncommon as many may think. For starters, most coaches leave for new ventures because they are leaving for promotions elsewhere.
Take Brown as a perfect example. The next logical promotion for an offensive assistant is to coach a particular position group. For position group coaches, it's pass-game or senior assistant roles in an organization.
That hasn't stopped many from thinking that Brown's exodus from New York is more a sign of rats fleeing a sinking ship above all else.
Jets fans can't have their cake and eat it too, though.
For months, fans of Gang Green and analysts have criticized the poor offensive performance in 2023 due to their league-worst marks in third down and red zone percentages. If major changes need to be made along the offensive staff, then four different positions being replaced isn't a bad omen for the future...right?
Conversely, if head coach Robert Saleh - one of the men most criticized for the Jets failings - isn't very good at finding assistant coaches, then why are some of his position coaches being poached for other organizations?
In the end, the logical answer to these questions is simple. The Jets coaching and front office staff around the NFL is a respected group - far more than in previous years. The job they have done to rebuild the entire franchise should be commended as a whole.
Despite a second-straight 7-10 season, New York did not have their franchise quarterback for the entire year, as well as a consistent offensive line that could build chemistry together. When you are without a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, and go through 13 different offensive linemen (with 12 different combinations) it doesn't matter who your coach is, you aren't going to be very successful.
The real issue that some fans are taking to heart is the fact that while New York struggled in many of the position groups that now will have new coaches, the key position coach that has not left is one that everyone fits the blame on.
Despite people's issue with offensive line coach Keith Carter, the Jets are not going to block assistant coaches or executives from receiving promotions. It's a sign of a poor workplace leadership group if that were to end up even happening.
As fans continue to wonder what to make of the current coaching regime, though, the final point here is simple.
There's no sinking ship when it comes to the New York Jets. If fans want an upheaval of the offensive staff, they are getting what they wish for now.
