NY Jets make confusing coaching change while Keith Carter stays employed

Despite weeks of the NY Jets insisting that they wouldn't be making any changes to their coaching staff, it seems as though the team will be moving some pieces around after all.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported on Tuesday that the Jets will be parting ways with running backs coach Taylor Embree this offseason. Embree helped develop Breece Hall into one of the best running backs in football last year, but it evidently wasn't enough to save his job.

The Jets have reportedly looked into hiring former Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles assistant Duce Staley, although they have some competition in the form of the Cleveland Browns. Staley is a widely respected coach and would be a welcome addition to a lackluster Jets offensive staff.

The team also reportedly has an interview lined up with Tennessee Titans assistant Tony Dews, per ESPN's Rich Cimini. Dews was previously the Titans' running backs coach before transitioning into a tight ends coach role in 2023.

Dews' experience with both Todd Downing and Keith Carter is probably why the Jets are interested. This isn't the first time they've looked to add a Titans assistant coach.

Embree's departure is a bit surprising, especially given that, at least on the surface, there are a number of coaches more deserving of being let go.

Why did the NY Jets fire Taylor Embree and not other offensive coaches?

The aforementioned Carter oversaw one of the worst offensive lines in recent NFL history, has repeatedly been publicly bashed by his current and former players, and has been criticized for putting his players at an increased risk for injuries every season.

Yet, despite this, the Jets see Carter as an integral part of their offensive coaching staff. He's not going anywhere.

The same is true for the likes of Todd Downing and Nathaniel Hackett, who, despite their abysmal track records, are in no danger of losing their jobs. Based on merit alone, all three of those coaches certainly deserve to be let go more than Embree.

While you can point to the lack of production from players like Dalvin Cook, Israel Abanikanda, and even Michael Carter, Breece Hall remains one of the best players on the Jets' roster. Embree has at least played a small part in his development.

This isn't to say that the Jets shouldn't be looking for ways to upgrade their offensive coaching staff. If the team was able to land a coach like, say, Duce Staley, that would absolutely present an upgrade over what they currently have.

The bigger issue, however, is the lack of consistency. Why is Embree let go while Carter, Downing, and Hackett skate free? At least from the outside looking in, it doesn't make much sense.

Ultimately, the Jets will have at least one new offensive coach in 2024. It's just not the coaching change many fans were hoping for.