Firing Joe Douglas was the right move for the Jets, and Aaron Rodgers should be next

The Jets finally made a smart move on Tuesday by firing general manager Joe Douglas. An architect of the team’s current demise, Douglas was willing to scapegoat coaches, players, everyone in his orbit in an effort to cover up his own colossal mistakes in draft and free agency.

New York is almost ready to usher in a new rebuilding era, but first they have to face their final boss and send Aaron Rodgers packing as well.

This experiment has been an utter disaster for the Jets. The organization was so desperate for a quick-hit Super Bowl run that they were quite literally willing to tear down everything in service of Rodgers and his whims. From shaping the offensive roster to Rodgers’ liking, hiring his friend as offensive coordinator, and firing head coach Robert Saleh — it’s all been about catering to the 40-year-old quarterback.

That would be fine if it worked, but instead it’s been such a nightmare that the Jets have regressed to lows previously thought impossible.

Winning % as Jets starting QB:
Zach Wilson .364
Sam Darnold .342
Aaron Rodgers .273

— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) November 17, 2024

A lack of explosive plays, boring quarterback play, a lack of a run-pass balance — all of this is either directly, or indirectly caused by Rodgers. On paper he might not look like he’s been terrible statistically, but watch the Jets and you’ll see a team so worried about keeping Rodgers happy that he’s another phase of the game that needs management.

If this organization wants to move forward they have to pull off the Band-Aid. Nobody who is a competent or talented general manager or coach would risk their own future by being saddled with Rodgers. It’s like inheriting a house, but it’s haunted, and you have to spend three nights in it first — except the ghost is listening to whale sex sounds to heal his ligaments, and you keep hearing Jordan Peterson podcasts echoing out of your toilet.

The biggest boon would be if Rodgers decides to retire, but even if he doesn’t then anyone coming in needs to have the freedom to designate No. 8 as a post-June 1 cut, regaining some salary cap space and flushing this whole fetid era down the toilet.

If the Jets aren’t willing to do this, if they are dead-set on moving forward with Rodgers at quarterback, then they risk extending this mistake from a few years, into dooming the franchise for a decade. That’s not hyperbole, because keeping Rodgers would mean bending to his whim at GM and head coach too, and lord only knows who he will hand pick behind closed doors to lead this organization.

The Jets have a choice to make as soon as this season ends. They can either be smart about this, or monumentally stupid. This team doesn’t need to be held hostage by Rodgers. It might not feel like it, but they still have control — and fans of this franchise deserve so much more than what they’ve been given.

If that means being trashed on Pat McAfee for a while, so be it — because becoming a competent football organization is much more important.