Airports are a disaster as anyone who has stepped near one knows. It is not easy to get planes and people off the ground and even the professionals struggle. It turns out that not only United Airlines have difficulties getting their jets in the air. The New York Jets have become an organizational mess. At one point this year, the Jets were favorites to win the Super Bowl as surprising as that sounds. Since then, they have fired head coach Robert Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas, and demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Rumors are swirling that Aaron Rodgers will not be brought back by the team, despite Rodgers saying that he will play football next year.

Firstly, Robert Saleh's firing came as a surprise to many due to the timing. Saleh was fired after just 5 weeks with a 2-3 record following back-to-back losses to Denver and Minnesota. Those games were lost by a combined 7 points. Saleh's defense in the first 5 games gave up an extremely respectable 15.6 points per game. The offense was the side of the ball that plagued the team at that point. Since Saleh's firing, the New York defense has given up a much worse 26.2 points per game, netting an average of roughly two more touchdowns per game. Operationally, Saleh did not have the best resume for the team, repeated miscues, penalties, and poor clock management being the issues. Those are all responsibilities of a head coach and he clearly struggled. Perhaps Saleh's worst decision as a head coach came in his management of the offense. As a defensive minded coach, he must make a hire that will complement his style. Saleh chose to hire Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett had an embarrassing tenure in Denver and did not last a full season as the head coach. He was brought in by Saleh, strictly to allure Aaron Rodgers to the Big Apple. He certainly did so. Rodgers came but was injured just 4 plays into his season and did not return. This left the Jets with Hackett alone to charge the offense. He struggled terribly but was retained to wait for the return of Rodgers and would quickly be demoted from play calling duties. Hackett's coaching stints continue to bring embarrassment and whatever he touches seems to fall apart. Saleh should have seen that clear as anyone else after the Broncos abomination. He did not and that decision would end up destroying what was left of him in New York.

However, a team such as New York, who was thought to be in contention even at 2-3, fired their coach. That is not something you see from contenders. Take the 2014 Broncos for example. John Fox was clearly not the answer at head coach, but they waited to let go of him until the chase for a title was over that year. Saleh being fired early is a signal from ownership that there is no belief in the team, and it certainly derailed the players and staff. He can now be found working with Green Bay's offense, offering a new defensive perspective for Matt Lafleur's expertise. Since the termination of Saleh's contract, the team has gone 1-5, positioning them at 3-8, well out of the playoff picture. This led to the firing of general manager Joe Douglas after the eighth loss of the season.

General manager Joe Douglas's firing is something I struggle with more than Saleh. Saleh's timing did not make sense, but all things considered, he struggled as a head coach and had a record of 20-36 over his 3 complete seasons and beginning of his fourth. The general manager has a long list of roles with the team. They include scouting, drafting, acquiring, and signing talent for the roster as well as being a part of the hiring of coaching staffs. Sure, Saleh was clearly not the right hire or at least not the right time however, that was not Douglas's sole responsibility. Owner Woody Johnson had just as much, if not more say in that hiring cycle and at the very least equally made the decision. Douglas has turned and acquired talent all over the board through free agency and the draft. Some of his notable draft picks are Elijah Moore, Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson II, Will McDonald IV, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Breece Hall. While those players are all mostly agreed upon as hits, Douglas has not been perfect. However, acquiring all those substantially impactful players in just five drafts is an impressive track. 2022 also saw the Jets win both offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards, an impressive feat for a GM. Douglas has also provided his team with notable talent in the offseason such as Aaron Rodgers, D.J. Reed, and Davantae Adams. I even held off in writing about the Saleh news due to the Adams trade as I saw it as a high-quality acquisition. Douglas signed Haason Reddick in the offseason and no one could have predicted the hold-out, so I still consider it a quality decision. The problems with the Jets have not come due to a lack of talent brought in by Joe Douglas. He has provided in many ways, yet the team still struggles.

Talent is not short in New York. The defense has been solid. The GM has done his job, but the Jets have chosen to fire him and completely clean house. The GM and HC search will rest solely on Woody Johnson's shoulders, and we will see if he is up to the task. The Jets have routinely struggled, and his poor hires seem to be the issue. Saleh, Hackett, Douglas, and Rodgers are not without blame. However, these problems existed prior to their joining the Jets. Woody Johnson may be the real issue for the Jets as he continues to walk into interviews blindly. Johnson alone can save the franchise and I have my doubts.