New York Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas will return for the 2024 season.
"My decision is to keep them," Johnson told Brian Costello of the New York Post. "I think we've had some very positive moves. The culture of the team is a lot better. The defense is better. The offense needs a few pieces."
Saleh is 16-32 across his three seasons in New York. Douglas has been the Jets' general manager since 2019 and is yet to lead the team to a postseason appearance.
While neither Saleh nor Douglas have an impressive resume in their current positions, Johnson's patience is understandable. The Jets built their entire 2023 season on the assumption Aaron Rodgers would lead them to the playoffs. Rodgers' campaign lasted all of one drive before he suffered a torn Achilles.
The offense has been a trainwreck with Rodgers on the sidelines, obscuring a strong effort by Saleh's defense. Douglas has also drafted quality young playmakers in Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, neither of whom have been able to showcase their full skill set with Rodgers out.
That's not to say Saleh or Douglas is completely safe heading into 2024. If the Jets get off to a slow start, it would not be a surprise if both found themselves looking for gainful employment before the season ends.
Rodgers' ability to significantly improve the offense at age 40 is the lynchpin to keeping both men employed moving forward. It's fair to wonder whether that's a smart plan given Rodgers is coming back from a debilitating injury and is nearly two decades into his NFL career, but it's the only excuse Saleh and Douglas have left in the chamber for their continued underperformance.
Don't be surprised if Douglas spends this offseason fortifying the roster with even more veteran talent in an all-in push to get the Jets into Super Bowl contention.
