The New York Jets head into the 2024 season with a deep roster, a quarterback in Aaron Rodgers ready to prove he's fully back from last year's torn Achilles, and expectations as high as they've been in years.
They also do so with general manager Joe Douglas in an increasingly unique position. Sources say Douglas, who signed with Gang Green to great fanfare in June of 2019, is entering the final year of his contract, a rare GM who did not sign an extension prior to his deal expiring.
All sides are comfortable with this position, sources say.
Douglas signed a six-year deal in 2019 and stocked the roster along the way, while also trading for Rodgers, a four-time MVP. But due in large part to Rodgers' Achilles injury last season, the Jets have not made the playoffs since the 2010 season.
The personnel side has also steadily built up the talent including draft classes like 2022 when the Jets selected eventual Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson and Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner. New York is a team ready to win, just like last year.
If the Jets have the kind of season many are anticipating -- should Rodgers stay healthy and the defense plays like it is capable -- Douglas' situation likely takes care of itself.
This situation is not unprecedented, as Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is going into 2024 without a new contract.
Rodgers has publicly and privately expressed optimism for this season, and head coach Robert Saleh has done the same with regards to Rodgers.
"I think he's in a great place, I think he's -- not just mentally but physically -- he looks awesome," Saleh said on Sept. 5.
For his part, Rodgers understands the landscape heading into Week 1's game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
"If we win, the headline's going to be 'We're going to the Super Bowl.' If we lose, 'Same old Jets,' " Rodgers said. "So I think we need to get away from some of those outside themes and trust that the program, if it's good enough Week 1, it's good enough the rest of the season."
