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Report: How Ex-Jets General Manager Joe Douglas Feels About Getting Fired

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Nov 23, 2024 4:49 PM ET

If former New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas felt at all bad about being fired from the role just a few days ago he's hiding it remarkably well.

According to a report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, an NFL executive close to Douglas said that Douglas felt "relief" after being dismissed from the job due to difficulties working under Jets owner Woody Johnson. Per the report, Douglas was "the happiest he's sounded in a long time" in a discussion with him and decided to mark the occasion of his firing by going fishing.

Via The Athletic:

An NFL executive close to Douglas shared that the former Jets GM felt a sense of “relief” after his dismissal, particularly from the challenges of working under Woody Johnson. That same executive shared that, just hours after being fired, Douglas went fishing at the Jersey Shore, enjoying a stress-free environment after navigating several turbulent years with the organization. “It’s the happiest he’s sounded in a long time.”

While going fishing doesn't exactly mean that he's not upset over his firing (we all cope with bad situations in different ways), Russini's report highlights that even Douglas' former colleagues were more distressed by his firing than he was.

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JULY 28: Head coach Robert Saleh, left, of the New York Jets talks with general manager Joe Douglas during morning practice at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 28, 2021 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who Douglas helped hire in 2021 only to be fired five games into the 2024 season, reportedly became “very upset and emotional” when he heard the news of Douglas' firing.

Via The Athletic:

Saleh learned about Douglas’ firing while in Green Bay, where he has been spending time observing and assisting his close friend, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. According to someone close to Saleh, the former Jets head coach was “very upset and emotional” upon hearing that Douglas had been sacked with several games left in the season. While Saleh knew Douglas was under scrutiny, he assumed the organization would let him finish out the year.

It's been nearly a decade since the Jets axed both their head coach and general manager in the same season. But with the franchise as stuck in the mud as it is, change was inevitable.

At this point though, the franchise's reputation is so tarnished that top candidates would be downright foolish to even take the job.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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