The Jets may have received plenty of criticism in recent weeks due to their handling of Mike Maccagnan's firing, but at the end of the day, it was well worth it for one reason.
Gang Green finally got their guy.
New York introduced Joe Douglas as the team's general manager on Tuesday, a move that has garnered its fair share of praise from across the league.
Douglas joined "Mike's On" Wednesday to talk about his new role, and why his relationship with head coach Adam Gase helped bring him to East Rutherford.
"Having a relationship with Adam, knowing what he was all about with the year we were together in Chicago, I had comfort," Douglas said on why he came to New York. "I had comfort coming up, and I just wanted to meet the entire organization."
Closing the deal with Douglas was no easy feat for the Jets.
According to reports, the two sides went back and forth several times before finally agreeing on a six-year contract for the new general manager.
While it may have taken a little longer than expected, Douglas is fully confident that this was the right spot for him following his tenure in Philadelphia.
"I would say this was the right spot because one, the head coach-GM relationship has to be strong," the new GM told Mike Francesa. "I think I have an understanding of Adam and how he wants to build his team. I think coming here not having met Mr. Johnson, Christopher Johnson, being able to spend time with him. Having a comfort level with him and getting to know his vision and what his thoughts were on this franchse."
Coming off a 4-12 campaign last season, it is clear that Douglas will have his hands full improving the team's roster moving forward.
One position he won't have to worry about is quarterback.
Sam Darnold is entering his second season in the NFL. While he didn't light the league on fire during his rookie campaign, the 22-year-old showed a ton of promise, showcasing why New York spent the no. 3 pick on him in the 2018 NFL Draft.
"Very important. Very important," Douglas said when asked how significant it was that Darnold was already on the team. "It's the most important position in all of professional in my opinion. You have to have one to have success, short-term and long-term. Having a guy like Sam Darnold, who just turned 22-years-old, who showed impressive flashes in his rookie season, especially his last four games which I watched, you can't help but get excited about a guy like that.
"Just watching his athleticism, seeing how he was able to quickly go through progressions, get the ball out on time, get the ball out accurately with decisiveness, it was something that fired me up."
To listen to Mike's full interview with Joe Douglas, click on the audio player above.
