5 ultimate takeaways from the NY Jets' late-season collapse

A once-promising 2022 NY Jets season turned for the worse when the calendar hit December. The team was officially eliminated from playoff contention on the first day of January, but the truth is that the franchise's hopes of making the postseason fell asleep long before the team touched ground in Seattle.

Even though the Jets played meaningful games almost up until the very end, something the franchise hadn't done in seven years, it's challenging to find silver linings in the Jets' skies moving forward.

Instead of a natural progression or feeling that the team is ahead of schedule, the Jets feel like they are again off course, heading toward another crash, and ultimately, yet another franchise reset. 

Long-time Jets followers have seen this movie many times before. The football club is in a position where they have uncertainty at quarterback — a seemingly never-ending theme. And now, the latest wrinkle and development is the growing sense of doubt in the Jets' leadership and coaching staff.

The Jets' 2022 season revealed a lot about the team and its trajectory moving forward. Unfortunately, the outcome of the team's demise didn't shine a positive light on their future.

Here are my five takeaways on the Jets' late-season collapse and the team's uncertain future.

1. Will Woody Johnson make a power play on the current NY Jets regime?

It's hard to fathom any significant changes immediately coming off the failure of 2022. However, some alarming signs could prompt a rash reaction from Jets owner Woody Johnson.

Had the Jets won seven games this season in a different fashion, the idea of Johnson making any radical changes would've seemed far-fetched.

However, based on how the Jets' season transpired, a scenario where Woody steps in and makes a power play seems realistic. Not just because of Johnson's history of changing course suddenly — see the rise and fall of Eric Mangini.

It goes beyond the fact that the Jets fell short of the playoffs in 2022. It's how they did it. The team was barely competent or competitive down the stretch of a season that had critical games in the balance.

The Jets' failings at quarterback and the quality of their play late in 2022 fall directly on the team's leadership, particularly Robert Saleh and his coaching staff.

The Jets don't have their answer at quarterback, and now there's serious doubt that they have the right people in the front office and coaching staff.

2. NY Jets GM Joe Douglas' position is safe (for now) but on shaky ground

For better or worse, Jets general manager Joe Douglas should get at least another year to "finish the job," but four straight losing campaigns with him at the helm are not helping his cause.

There have been some positives during Douglas' run with the Jets. The success of his 2022 NFL Draft has mostly bought him some roses and leeway.

The problem is that Douglas' body of work is incomplete at best. His first draft class in 2020 hasn't panned out, and there are growing concerns about the returns of the 2021 class. And many of the team's free-agent signings since Douglas took over have produced mixed results at best.

Ultimately, Douglas' choices at quarterback and his handpicked head coach will decide his fate. You can't afford to get those two positions brutally wrong and survive.

Joe Douglas is entering a make-or-break offseason. He whiffed badly on getting the team's franchise quarterback — something that falls directly on him and his entire scouting department. And now, Douglas' faith in Robert Saleh has come into question.

Douglas might be able to get a band-aid at quarterback this offseason, but he won't get another chance to draft a franchise QB or pick another head coach. The Jets' GM is in a precarious position in 2023.

3. Robert Saleh's loyalty and longevity will be tested this offseason

When the games mattered the most for the Jets, Robert Saleh and his entire staff came up small. The 2022 season was a testing ground for his qualities as a leader and tactician. Unfortunately, Saleh didn't come out the other side in a positive light.

Similar to how Joe Douglas needs to reassess his support staff in the front office, Robert Saleh is facing some problematic introspection on himself and his coaches. The problem is that Saleh has deeper loyalties and ties to his staff than Douglas does.

Jets head coaches in the past have been in this position before. Rex Ryan had to pull the plug on Brian Schottenheimer, even though the tandem did see measures of success together, reaching two AFC Championship games.

Ryan's lifelines ended up being Tony Sparano and Marty Mornhinweg. Suffice it to say; it didn't go well for Rex. Will Saleh have the gumption to make a significant change and take the same survival route?

Schottenheimer took the fall for the Jets' failings on offense at quarterback. Will current Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur meet the same fate? It's challenging to envision a scenario where Saleh pulls the plug on his lifelong buddy.

However, based on the Jets' failure to develop their self-appointed franchise quarterback and the inconsistencies attached to the team's overall offense, LaFleur's playcalling and offensive design deserve scrutiny.

Barring a power play by Woody Johnson to pull the plug at offensive coordinator, LaFleur likely retains his spot in 2023, but he is clearly on shaky ground, and there is no doubt that the Jets need to bring in an accomplished veteran offensive coach to their staff.

The unfortunate loss of Greg Knapp in 2021 set the Jets' entire offense on the wrong course. It not only hurt Zach Wilson, who Knapp was a massive supporter of, but it also hindered the neophyte, Mike LaFleur. 

Quarterback coach Rob Calabrese should not be retained next season. He could be the ultimate fall guy for the Jets' failings on offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, it's difficult to fully blast Jeff Ulbrich based on the improvements and strides made in 2022, but one could argue that the progression was a result of the Jets' elite talent defensively, and not because of Ulbrich's scheme or ability to game plan effectively for opponents.

The Jets' defense quietly faltered late in the season, nowhere to the degree of their offense. However, opposing offenses cracked the code on how to stay away from New York's dual shutdown cornerbacks, and Ulbrich had no answers.

4. Adding Frank Reich/Gus Bradley types to the NY Jets coaching staff

Woody Johnson can show a significant commitment to the Jets by spending above market to bolster his coaching staff. After all, there's no salary cap when it comes to coaches. It all depends on Saleh's willingness to make significant changes.

One person Saleh could look to help his defense is Gus Bradley. However, things haven't been pretty for Bradley in Indianapolis. Notwithstanding that, Bradley's résumé and experience could upgrade the Jets' defensive staff.

The big fish, however, would be coaxing someone like Frank Reich to join the Jets. The former green and white QB, albeit for a brief time, would be a massive get for the Jets quarterback room.

The problem is that Reich should be a hot commodity as an offensive coordinator around the league. You'd have to offer him serious money to consider anything other than a coordinator position. An assistant head coach/offense tag might do the trick, with Reich overseeing the entire offensive operation.

There's also a lack of history between Robert Saleh and Reich. It also creates a working enviroment where Saleh could be hiring the individual who ultimately takes his job.

No matter if it's Frank Reich or Gus Bradley, the Jets need to seriously consider upgrading their coaching staff. Especially concerning the QB position, the Jets may add an accomplished veteran signal-caller in the offseason.

But if the team is earnest in their belief of salvaging Zach Wilson or decides to add another young gun to the mix, the Jets need a veteran QB coach with a proven track record.

5. The ultimate silver lining to the NY Jets' 2022 season

The Jets got their answer at quarterback. It may not be the reality the team's brass wanted, but it's better that they know now rather than wait another year to embrace the harsh truth.

Zach Wilson isn't the answer. It doesn't mean he won't experience better days as a pro one day — see Geno Smith. Unfortunately, Wilson can't be entrusted with turning it around next season, and his journey back from the abyss will likely be with another team.

There are reports that Wilson could remain a Jet until training camp, but the best bet for both parties is moving on.

Mike White is a competent NFL quarterback. However, the Jets got their answer on whether or not he can be "the guy" moving forward. White doesn't possess the elite skill set that Wilson has. He's an adequate player lacking dynamic traits.

The reality of this was on full display in Seattle. White was given a test against the Seahawks to rise, and he failed.

As a result, the Jets now have to go out and sign or trade for a proven NFL starting quarterback. The list of names is out there for consumption, from Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo to the ultimate pipedream of prying away Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens.

The latter would take a bevy of first-round draft picks and would be worth the bold commitment, but it's an "I'll believe it when I see it" scenario.

The Jets organization has been down this path historically. They try the young draft pick at QB that flops or fails to meet expectations, only to seek short-term refuge in a veteran. Browning Nagle led to Boomer Esiason. Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith led to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown. Chad Pennington led to Brett Favre, etc.

In terms of a veteran QB, whoever the Jets land has to be a long-term solution. He has to be more than just a temporary rental. Otherwise, the franchise will immediately be searching again. The next QB has to be a three-to-five-year solution. No longtime Jets fan wants to repeat the nightmare of Neil O'Donnell. 

The Jets may not be back to square one again, but it sure feels like they could be headed back to that territory if 2023 matches the disappointment of 2022.

The harsh reality is that there are no guarantees that the Jets will be in the same position next season when January 2024 arrives. The assumption is that improved play at QB will ensure a playoff spot.

It would certainly help, but that's not how the NFL works. You are not guaranteed to be 7-4 again with six weeks to play. Each season is different from the last.

Woody Johnson, Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh, and the entire Jets organization have their work cut out for them. I wish I could lie and state that the groundwork was set in 2022 for a successful 2023, but it sure doesn't feel that way right now.