The NY Jets have given Joe Douglas ‘the keys to the franchise’

The NY Jets have reportedly given Joe Douglas “the keys to the franchise.”

The NY Jets are set to enter arguably one of the most important offseasons in franchise history. And they will do so with the full trust and leadership of general manager Joe Douglas.

Following the Adam Gase debacle, there has been some level of concern that the Jets’ ownership would meddle in the business of Douglas this offseason and not allow him to have full control of the team’s decisions.

But it appears as though that won’t be the case.

The Athletic’s Connor Hughes reported shortly after the team’s Week 17 loss to the New England Patriots that Douglas would be given “the keys to the franchise” this offseason.

The Jets are putting all their eggs in Douglas’ basket. He has the trust of Christopher Johnson. He has the trust of Woody Johnson. And he’ll set out to prove them right this offseason.

Douglas won’t just take the lead in the search for the Jets’ next head coach, he’ll be given free rein to do whatever he pleases.

“The Jets have basically given Douglas the keys to the franchise. He’ll pick the coach. He has no financial restrictions in free agency. He runs their draft.”

So for Jets fans pleading for Douglas to be given what is essentially full autonomy, that’s basically what you’re going to get. Of course, Johnson will have the final say on any move that is made — after all, he’s the owner. That’s just how these things work.

But as Hughes put it, Johnson “will not step on Douglas’ toes.” He’s going to be involved in the process to the degree that Douglas informs him of his decisions and his reasoning behind those decisions.

Johnson won’t be the one making those decisions, however. He’ll merely sign off on them.

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Joe Douglas was highly coveted by the NY Jets back in 2019

When the Jets hired Douglas in June of 2019, the move was widely seen as a major hire for Gang Green. Douglas was one of the most respected front office members around the league and was widely seen as a future NFL general manager.

Douglas was Johnson’s guy. He brought him in for one interview and quickly decided that he didn’t need to hear anymore.

It should be noted that, while he may be highly-touted, Douglas has never been directly involved in overseeing a head coaching hire. Doug Pederson was already there when he joined Philadelphia and he spent the first 14 years of his career under Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore.

This is uncharted territory for Douglas. But given his stellar reputation, the Jets are more than willing to let him take the lead. Not only that, but they believe his reputation alone could attract prospective head coach candidates.

“The Jets believe the chance to work with Douglas will be a beacon that attracts coaches to their opening.  What Douglas has worked to build the last two years won’t hurt, either.”

The Jets have placed their full confidence in Joe Douglas. This organization will make or break under his guidance.

And whether it ultimately works out or not, that’s all Jets fans have been asking for.

The NY Jets are officially the Joe Douglas show.