A blistering article about the inner workings of the New York Jets paints a distressing picture from the 2023 season, and leaves fans with nothing but questions about how much worse things could get.
The story published by The Athletic via writers Dianna Russini and Zach Rosenblatt, drops a number of disappointing and disturbing nuggets about the franchise, namely an apparent lack of accountability and innovation on the part of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as well as "paranoia" from Head Coach Robert Saleh.
Russini and Rosenblat say right off the bat they spoke with over 30 sources both from within and outside the organization, and that the Jets and Rodgers would not comment.
The article is mostly a follow up to a piece Rosenblatt and Russini did back in December when word came out that quarterback Zach Wilson was "reluctant" to get back into the starting lineup for the Jets after getting benched by the team prior to it's week 12 contest against Miami.
And they don't hold back.
"Publicly, Saleh avoided criticizing Zach Wilson or even acknowledging his struggles. Privately, the coach pinned many of the teams offensive issues on Wilson, the line and the receivers and told people getting to eight wins with Wilson at quarterback would be a 'miracle,'" the article states.
If that is true, why did the Jets stick with Wilson for so long?
The story continues..."When [Aaron] Rodgers went down, the Jets reache dout to some veteran quarterbacks - like Chad Henne, Carson Wentz, and Colt McCoy -- but decided instead to roll with Wilson until (or if) Rodgers returned. Joe Flacco -- was available, but key decision-makers inside the building didn't think Flacco would be an upgrade..."
That is a condemning statement about the Jets, and possibly GM Joe Douglas, since he would be the primary decision maker on personnel. As we all know now, Flacco came off his couch to send the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs, all while beating the Jets en route in Week 17.
The article also claims that Rodgers and Wilson grew distant over the course of the season.
Moreover, Robert Saleh grew upset when the Wilson story leaked out.
On page seven of the story, Russini and Rosenblatt state: "The coach held a meeting with his staff two days later when he asked the leaker to reveal himself, according to multiple people in attendance. "If you come forward now, you won't get in trouble," he told them while threatening to take their cell phones."
On Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
The Athletic story goes hard after Hackett and Rodgers. At one point a source is quoted as calling Joe Douglas the "assistant GM" to Rodgers. Furthermore, Rodgers relationship with Hackett is more "frat brothers than player/coach."
Hackett is also blasted for lacking "attention to detail," and for not getting together with staff until the "last minute of game prep."
Already we have seen that the Jets have made moves to change their coaching staff, such as the hiring's of Tony Dews as running backs coach, and Shawn Jefferson as wide receivers coach. Perhaps that goes more in line with the statements in the story that speak of a "collaborative" effort with the offensive game plan.
Still this story is a damning one. It looks bad on everyone. The worst part is it comes out perhaps four weeks too late.
The Coaching Carousel is virtually complete, save for the Washington Commanders job. The Jets already committed to Saleh and Douglas returning to action in 2024. All Jets fans can hope for is that the team wins and wins alot in order to make stories like this go away.
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