The New York Jets have made it official by firing several assistants on both sides of the ball. What’s next?
The New York Jets have done something no other team in their history has done. Believe it or not, this was the first 5-11 season in Jets history, which means it’s time for change on more than just the Jets roster.
Sources have been confirmed that “whole sale changes” are on the horizon for the Jets defensive staff according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Jets making wholesale changes to defensive coaching staff today, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2017
Now, those “whole sale changes” are official.
Five Jets assistants fired: QBs Kevin Patullo, RBs Marcel Shipp, DL Pepper Johnson, OLBs Mark Collins, DBs Joe… https://t.co/NFABB394UK
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 3, 2017
After a 5-11 campaign that was entrenched in poor performance, a bad case of blame game, and animosity, it’s time for changes. The Jets defense, which was supposed to lead the team, faltered.
Sure Ryan Fitzpatrick was awful on the offensive end and that didn’t help matters. But, ultimately, the defense couldn’t get the job done and during the first half of the season, couldn’t stop a nose bleed.
Every time the Jets defense was on the field, I cringed knowing that at any second we could get hit by the deep bomb. It happened 13 times where the Jets gave up passes of 40 yards or more.
Here are the rest of the brutal realities from last season:
- 28th in points allowed
- Bottom five in sacks
- 17th in pass defense
Head coach Todd Bowles has referenced taking a more CEO approach to his role, something Rex Ryan struggled with as well being a defensive minded coach.
Now, several assistants were fired on both sides of the ball. On top of those, Chan Gailey, the Jets offensive coordinator has announced his retirement. Here’s his official statement via @RichCimini:
“I informed Coach Bowles prior to the 2016 season that I would retire after this season. I thought it was best to tell him early, so that he could begin to think about how he would move the team forward on offense. While we did not have the season we all wanted to have, I think there are some great people here at the Jets and in the New York/New Jersey area. I wish them all the best moving forward.”
While some coaches certainly deserved to be fired, some of these firings seem like nothing more than the Jets traveling down the scapegiat route. After it was revealed that coach Bowles was safe, it seemed like the front office fed the hungry fan-base and media the blood they were quenching with some of these announcements.
Nonetheless, the next step in the offseason phase immediately begins with the interviewing process and trying to find the right fits.
