Is New York Jets General Manager Least Desirable Job in Pro Sports?

The New York Jets GM vacancy may be attractive to some, but chaos, roster issues, and owner interference make it one of the NFL’s most challenging jobs. Who will take it on?

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson reacts during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The general manager position for the New York Jets should be one of the most coveted roles in professional sports.

The opportunity to reshape a storied franchise into a winner has an undeniable allure. But in reality, this job is far from desirable.

With Tuesday’s firing of Joe Douglas, the Jets are embarking on a full-scale organizational reset in a season that has seen the firing of head coach Robert Saleh, the demotion of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and an unraveling campaign that has left the team at 3-8 with little hope for the immediate future.

Now, with a general manager vacancy, the Jets face the daunting task of finding someone willing to take on one of the most challenging jobs in professional sports.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN explained the situation well: "An intriguing candidate has to actually want this Jets general manager job. This will not be the most desirable opening. But since general managers enjoy longer tenures than head coaches, and only 32 of these jobs exist, the candidate pool will be fairly strong."

The challenges awaiting the next GM go well beyond the roster, though those issues alone would deter many candidates.

The Jets have 30 impending free agents, no clarity at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers unlikely to return, and looming contract negotiations for foundational stars Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall.

Despite significant resources invested, the offensive line remains a liability, and the team’s cap situation is tight, limiting flexibility. Yet, these are just symptoms of a larger issue: the need for a total cultural reset.

The Jets’ building is fractured, with trust eroded after a season of chaos and impulsive decisions. The next general manager won’t just have to rebuild the roster. They’ll need to rebuild the culture of the building that hasn’t seen a playoff team in 14 years.

That means hiring a head coach who can align with the GM’s vision, restoring confidence among players and staff, and re-establishing accountability and stability in an organization lacking those qualities for so long.

Compounding the difficulty is the presence of owner Woody Johnson, whose increasingly heavy-handed involvement has destabilized the franchise.

Johnson’s influence over personnel decisions, such as vetoing trades and extensions or pushing for splashy acquisitions like Davante Adams, has created a volatile environment. His decision to fire Saleh midseason without consulting Douglas or anyone else was emblematic of this dysfunction.

Even in Douglas’ final months, Johnson’s overreach made it impossible for him to operate effectively, turning the GM role into a figurehead position.

For the next general manager, the task is monumental: constructing a new roster, installing a fresh coaching staff, convincing the team’s young stars to buy into yet another rebuild, and navigating an owner whose impulsive decisions often undermine long-term success.

This role isn’t just about football — it’s about steering a franchise out of chaos while managing an environment rife with uncertainty.

While the prestige of being one of the NFL’s 32 general managers is undeniable, the Jets’ vacancy may only appeal to the most ambitious or desperate candidates willing to take on such a daunting challenge.