General manager Joe Douglas’ trip to the NFL combine this year will have a different feel in light of some changes the New York Jets made in the offseason.
The Jets parted ways with assistant general manager Rex Hogan after the season. Then, director of player personnel Chad Alexander bolted for the Bolts, hired as the Los Angeles Chargers’ assistant general manager. Those were Douglas’ close confidants over the last few years and the Jets have not announced any replacements. So Douglas will move forward with a lot to accomplish in Indianapolis this week.
If the Jets weren’t in win-now mode last year, they certainly are now. Douglas and coach Robert Saleh are on the hot seat, and owner Woody Johnson has made it clear he’s losing patience. The Jets have a 40-year-old quarterback coming off Achilles surgery in Aaron Rodgers, an elite defense and an offense with two stars (Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall) and a lot of questions.
To Douglas’ credit, he’s built a playoff-caliber roster that doesn’t have a lot of holes, at least on defense. To Douglas’ detriment, most of the holes on the roster are on offense — and he still hasn’t solved the offensive line.
The Jets are not expected to franchise tag Huff, so if they want to bring the defensive end back, the pressure is on to re-sign him before the legal tampering window for free agency opens March 11. The Jets want to keep him, but Huff’s asking price may be too high. He’s a 25-year-old coming off a breakout 10-sack season and will be a hot commodity in free agency.
