NY Jets: Adam Gase considering giving up play-calling responsibilities

NY Jets’ head coach Adam Gase is considering giving up play-calling responsibilities.

The NY Jets are searching for answers after a woeful 0-5 start to the 2020 season. And head coach Adam Gase is apparently considering all options in an effort to turn the team’s fortunes around.

Gase spoke with reporters on Monday following yet another embarrassing blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals and he tried “his best” to come up with solutions for how to fix the Jets moving forward.

The struggling head coach was asked if he would consider relinquishing play-calling duties to someone else on his staff. And surprisingly, Gase didn’t shoot down the idea.

Gase said that he’s “considered everything” and that he’s “all for” anything that helps get the Jets back on the winning track. For now, Gase will remain the play-caller, but he didn’t completely shut down the idea of making a change either.

Over his five-year tenure as a head coach, Gase has always called plays for his offensive units. That was true both during his time with the Miami Dolphins and with the Jets.

But given the offense’s persistent struggles, perhaps that could be set to change.

Who could replace Adam Gase as the NY Jets’ offensive play-caller?

If Gase were to relinquish play-calling responsibilities, there aren’t too many appealing options on what is likely the worst offensive coaching staff in football.

The most obvious replacement would be offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. Loggains has been with Gase since becoming the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator back in 2018. They also worked on the same staff together in 2015 with the Chicago Bears.

However, Loggains hasn’t called plays on a consistent basis since 2017 when he was offensive coordinator with the Bears — a position he was promoted to after Gase left for Miami.

Loggains didn’t fare much better as a play-caller with a 2017 ESPN article ranking him dead last out of all 32 play-callers in the league.

If not Loggains, the Jets could opt to go with running backs coach Jim Bob Cooter. Cooter called plays as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions from 2016 to 2018 and while he was never considered a top-tier play-caller, he’s a bit more accomplished than Loggains.

The Jets also have tight ends coach John Dunn who served as the offensive play-caller for UConn before joining the Jets. Assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson could also be a candidate, but he’s never called plays at either the collegiate or NFL level.

In all likelihood, changing the offensive play-caller likely won’t produce vastly different results. But Gase has kept the door open for a change — and it’s clear that change is needed.