Jets General Manager Joe Douglas: ‘Too Nice’?

Some believe that New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas may be best served by exerting greater authority when it comes to personnel matters.

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas is not exactly a “regular Joe.” However, his “Mr. Nice Guy” persona may actually be working against him in his quest to build a Super Bowl contender. 

Douglas, who has served as Jets’ GM since 2019, has generated some concern among league execs for his passive approach toward running the team’s operations. 

In short, some are beginning to openly question whether Douglas is properly exerting his authority over coach Robert Saleh or even starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

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“For the longest time now, I’ve been told that Douglas doesn’t exert his power and is not the big dog in the organization that people expect him to be,” per a report from Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda. “Some have told me Douglas is, “too nice for his own good,” and doesn’t lay down the hammer when he needs to.”

Despite arriving in East Rutherford on the heels of a successful four-year run as vice president of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles — including a championship victory in Super Bowl LII — Douglas has yet to recapture the same prosperity with the Jets. New York has failed to qualify the playoffs during his tenure, and finished last season with a dismal 7-10 record. 

Though Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury was the primary reason for the Jets foundering, some believe that New York’s supporting cast was not properly assembled by Douglas heading into the campaign. Rather than aggressively targeting the best available options at their greatest positions of need — offensive line and receiver —  he appeared to be amenable to acquiescing to both Saleh’s  and Rodgers’ requests. 

“They point to the 2023 draft,” wrote Pauline. ‘After trading away picks to acquire Rodgers, the Jets selected Will McDonald with the 15th pick rather than choosing receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who went five slots later to the Seattle Seahawks, or making a move up for offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick 14 after they purposely traded ahead of the Jets.”

“The choice of McDonald had 'Saleh pick' written all over it,” Pauline added via source. 

In addition to his draft woes, critics have pointed to some of Douglas’ free agent “concessions,” including the offseason additions of receivers Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard —both of which were favorite targets of Rodgers from their time together with the Green Bay Packers. Despite signing a four-year, $44 million deal with New York last offseason, Lazard logged only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.

In failing to properly address the Jets biggest needs, Douglas has opened the door to additional criticism. Still, there is reason to be optimistic about the 47-year-old’s ability to recognize talent. Douglas’ 2022 draft haul remains among the most impressive in recent NFL history — securing the likes of cornerback Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson, running back Breece Hall. Douglas has also shown some free agent savvy in signing cornerback D.J. Reed, tight end Tyler Conklin, and safety Jordan Whitehead — who is set to enter free agency next month. 

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In the final analysis, Douglas can overcome his obstacles by simply reminding his subordinates that he is the one making the decisions for the organization. While maintaining a cordial relationship with his co-workers need not be forsaken, he must shed his ‘bystander’ image by establishing himself as the final word on personnel matters. 

Otherwise, the “nice guy” may finish last, yet again. 

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