I've criticized Jets owner Christopher Johnson plenty in recent posts, so it's only fair to give him credit when he gets one right.
Making the best of a difficult situation (of Johnson's own making), the Jets announced Friday they hired Joe Douglas as their new general manager.
Douglas, formerly the Eagles' vice president of player personnel, agreed to a reported six-year deal to replace Mike Maccagnan, who was fired by Johnson on May 15.
Reports from earlier in the day Friday indicated that Douglas had turned down multiple offers from Johnson, with money for him and his department allegedly the principal sticking points.
When the Texans axed GM Brian Gaine on Friday afternoon, the Jets were suddenly presented with a possible competitor for Douglas' services.
Johnson, though, stepped up and secured the man at the top of his search list that also included Seahawks co-director of player personnel Scott Fitterer, Saints director of pro scouting Terry Fontenot and Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly.
The consensus opinion among league experts is that the Jets made the right choice. Douglas, 42, may not have any prior experience sitting in the GM throne, but he is a highly regarded talent evaluator who has worked his way up in winning organizations.
He apprenticed for 15 years in the Ravens' scouting department under Ozzie Newsome, who was one of the league's top executives. Douglas was Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman's right-hand man the last three seasons. Both franchises won Super Bowls while he was there.
In between, Douglas spent the 2015 season in Chicago as director of college scouting. There he met an assistant coach named Adam Gase, who happens to be entering his first season as the Jets' head coach.
I don't know if the reports that the two men have since stayed in touch are true or are just the machinations of their mutual agent, Jimmy Sexton, but it has always been clear that Gase, who is known to be somewhat of a disagreeable sort, wanted Douglas to supplant Maccagnan for months.
Again, to his credit, Johnson learned from the mistakes he and his brother, Woody, who left the club when he was named ambassador to the United Kingdom in 2017, made in past organizational upheavals. No more arranged GM/coach marriages like John Idzik/Rex Ryan or Maccagnan/Todd Bowles. Johnson was in control of the process, but he listened to Gase with regard to what the franchise needed to move forward.
That, and the six-year commitment, should give Douglas comfort that the days of unnecessary off-the-field drama at One Jets Drive should be suspended. For a bit anyway.
The corporate hierarchy won't change, with Douglas and Gase each reporting separately to Johnson. Douglas, though, has firm control over the 53-man roster. Gase has always said he was fine with that arrangement. No one believed him when Maccagnan was in charge. Now there are no excuses.
This is not an assurance that Douglas will fare better than his predecessors. Maccagnan also came to town with a reputation for astute college scouting. His ugly draft record (outside of his first three top-six picks) is a blemish that will take more than a season for Douglas to mask. The Jets are full of holes at key positions, including cornerback, edge pass rusher and center.
We've agreed to terms with Joe Douglas to be our next GM. pic.twitter.com/tzQiWzNmkp
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 8, 2019Since Maccagnan was in charge at the time the big-ticket items (i.e. free agency and the 2019 draft) were bid on this offseason, Douglas is limited in what he can accomplish this season. He can look for bargains amongst what's left of the unsigned free agent crop and comb the cut lists for Band-Aids at the margins. Trades? Maybe defensive lineman Leonard Williams might have some value if the organization decides against giving him the hefty raise he expects after his rookie contract expires in January.
At least Douglas has experience in the building of a team with a quarterback on a rookie deal. With Douglas' assistance, the Eagles constructed a Super Bowl champion in Carson Wentz's second season behind center (for the first 13 games before an ACL tear forced backup Nick Foles into action).
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is entering his sophomore campaign, but, unfortunately, he has nowhere near the supporting cast the Eagles had, so don't expect miracles.
Douglas has the resume to suggest that he knows how to rectify the Jets' deficiencies. For that, Johnson can take credit for putting out the fire he started.
For a FAN's perspective of the Nets, Devils and Jets, follow Steve on Twitter @SteveLichtenst1.
