Bye Week Considerations
Edition #750
☀️ Good morning ☕
Usually I see the bye week as an inconvenience, like the international break when it comes to football season over here. But I’ve enjoyed not having to think about the Jets this weekend.
In fact, I didn’t watch any NFL this weekend and I’m only now getting caught up on the action. The Jets still hold the 7th pick in the draft as of this morning. With Tennessee’s win yesterday, there are now 4 teams tied at 3-8.
Most of the teams above the Jets need a QB, so the chances of landing Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward with the 7th overall pick is slim to none. So either you go with another position, reach for a QB like Milroe or Ewers or try and trade up.
We’ve got some time to think about that, but for now let’s catch up on all the rumours that circulated about the Jets this weekend, and there was a lot of them…so that’s what we’re going to focus on today.
*Just a note, I’m off to Scotland for a quick 5-day holiday on Wednesday and have an 8 hour drive with two kids under 5. So chances are there probably won’t be a newsletter on Thursday morning, but will try and get one out on Friday.*
It was the weekend of “sources” and rumours for the Jets.
The Athletic’’ Diana Russini had a lot to say this weekend, and one think she suggested was bringing back Eric Mangini who’s currently a football analyst at Fox Sports. “Sure, Mangini’s tenure wasn’t perfect, but his emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and ability to turn things around quickly left a lasting impact on the franchise. If the Jets really want to bring back someone who knows this organization and can lay a sustainable foundation, maybe it’s time to give the man once known as “Mangenius” another shot,” Russini said. “I’m told the Jets are open to all options at this point as they continue to gather information on who their top candidates will be.”
According to Zack Rosenblatt, the Jets won’t be pursuing Mike McCarthy when his contract ends in Dallas. McCarthy is under a lot of pressure in Texas following another disappointing season for “America’s Team” - McCarthy coached Rodgers for 13-year in Green Bay and experienced a lot of success.
CBS Sports Jonathan Jones had some notes on the Jets which included:
Jets not looking to hire a firm to help the GM search, but will use the same model as Washington last year in relying on advisors with executive experience.
Woody Johnson will lead this search before likely handing over responsibilities to Christopher Johnson if/when he’s given a role in the Trump administration.
“The Jets cannot interview a candidate who is currently employed by another club until the end of the regular season. That goes for coaches and executives, as well as candidates who are employed as consultants. So someone like former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel wouldn't be allowed to interview with the Jets until the conclusion of the Cleveland Browns season, but someone like Jon Gruden could walk into One Jets Drive and sit for an interview while the season plays out.”
It’s also believed that Rodgers will be designated as a post June 1st cut: "I can't imagine any GM or coach who's going to come in and deal with that," one rival executive said.
Talking about Rodgers - “I’m told no decisions have been made yet, but it appears increasingly likely that the four-time MVP, who is banged up, could be placed on injured reserve or possibly benched over the next few weeks, signaling the end of his disastrous time with the Jets,” NFL Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Rodgers "has resisted getting scans done, not wanting to reveal the severity of his injuries out of fear of having to come off the field." - Which would be so incredibly selfish but not overly surprising. Rodgers base numbers aren’t bad but if you watch the games like we all do, you’ll see how much he’s holding this team back with his inability and reluctance to throw the ball deep.
One of Rapoport’s sources said it would be a “shock” if the Jets brought Aaron Rodgers back at this point.
Here’s a rumour that’s been doing the rounds over the weekend and as far as I can see it’s not based on anything other than media speculation. The Jets trading for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, who signed a $275 million contract back in June. Lawrence is having a bad season on a bad team and I don’t think I’d want to take on that contract if I were the Jets. Connor Hughes and Diana Russini both mentioned this. I think it’s more likely we see Daniel Jones come in on a short term prove it deal while we draft and sit the QB of the future.
A few people have mentioned Sam Darnold as a potential option for the Jets this off-season but Zack Rosenblatt bluntly stated “That’s not happening”. I’ll be honest, I always saw it as the longest of long shots because why would he want to come back to this franchise? Sam will get a starting gig next year, it may be in Minnesota considering the injury complications with J. J. McCarthy.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz stated this weekend that the reports of a fractured relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Woody Johnson was "overblown." He went on to say "There has been ongoing communication between them, and both agree the season has been deeply disappointing—with Aaron playing through injuries and the team underperforming,"
Remember Spencer Shrader, the kicker who signed for the Chiefs after the Jets failed to promote him to the 53? Well here’s what he had to say about why he chose Kansas City. No lies detected - “I wanted to be around an elite staff, elite players, everyone is very on top of things here… I’m gaining value just by being a part of this place, being a part of this organization,” Shrader said
The Bills and Jets were both on byes this weekend and the Patriots got hammered by the Dolphins who are looking a lot better since Tua returned. Here’s how things stand, it’s a race to the bottom for the Jets and Patriots with the Bills almost certainly winning and the Dolphins in the wild card mix.
If Jax trades Lawrence, I believe they get a $100 million dead cap hit. So that's a no.
Hope Shrader realizes he'll be gone in 3 weeks.
Having the NFL package is both wonderful and depressing.
Wonderful because you see how good organizations build their teams, play great football and always find a way to win.
Depressing because it reminds you that the whole Jet organization is a clusterf**k.
Assorted rumors, who knows their validity
Woody WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER a football team President, so unless Trump saves this franchise by appointing Woody an ambassadorship, Mr Interference will be second guessing every move made by the new GM and HC. Just remember the 90’s Yankees didn’t become great until interfering owner Steinbrenner was suspended for two years for some very unscrupulous dealings with a slug by the name of Howie Spira.
To the rumor mongers, do your homework, Rodgers was the leading catalyst in getting McCarthy fired in Green Bay. Has anybody noticed that McCarthy couldn’t win when Dallas’s roster was healthy the past couple of years.
Jet- Rodgers-Woody rumors by different NFL insiders on X ( formerly Twitter)
Rodgers is a goner, team going in another direction
Rodgers has had it with Jet organization, he wants to move on.
Rodgers wants in with Jets for 2025
Team wants him for 2025, to be a bridge mentor to new young quarterback.
Jets quarterback room next year definitely going be Taylor, Jordan Travis and presently unnamed draft pick.
Woody is fed up with Rodgers, wants him out.
Woody still best of buddies with Rodgers, they had dinner a few weeks ago.
Since the greatly ran Jet organization refused to sign Spencer Shrader to an NFL contract without a healthy kicker on the roster. Signed by the Chiefs, he is 6 for 6 on xtra points and is 5 for 5 on field goal attempts including a winning 31 yarder as time expired yesterday.
Great job Jets sitting on your hands. Winning teams like the Chiefs recognize talent. That’s why they win.
Another rumor put up by a know nothing site. Could be our guy, Sebastian the Jet fan from the Queens. Ellon Musk has 7 billion he wants to spend on an NFL franchise and is targeting the Jets. If only this one was true and not LSD originated.
Information on John Dorsey and the Chiefs from the KC Star
The Chiefs have compiled a 43-21 record the last four years thanks to the work of coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey, all while publicly and privately painting a picture of internal harmony and teamwork. They managed to stay unified and on message even during tough times, like the NFL’s tampering investigation into the free-agent signing of Jeremy Maclin that led to fines and the forfeiture of draft picks. But behind the scenes, the Chiefs’ front office did not always run smoothly under Dorsey. Team chairman Clark Hunt’s decision to fire Dorsey was fueled, in part, by concerns about his internal communication and management styles, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Star on condition of anonymity.
As one of the sources said while describing how Dorsey had removed two front-office executives without much explanation: “John does stuff and doesn’t tell people why.” Another source said Dorsey’s management style “could wear on people.”
A message left with Dorsey seeking comment for this story was not immediately returned. Dorsey’s firing was announced Thursday, the same day Reid received a contract extension. Both men had a year left on their contracts and report separately, but directly to Hunt. That structure will remain when a new GM is hired. While sources have consistently maintained that Reid and Dorsey worked well together — “You never got the impression they were sparring,” one source told The Star — the two also had different approaches to their jobs.
While Reid has a reputation for being structured and process-oriented, Dorsey was described by those who know both men as looser. “He goes with the flow,” one source said of Dorsey. That style didn’t always mesh in situations outside of Dorsey’s undeniable strengths, picking and evaluating players. The other areas Dorsey oversaw were contracts and salary cap management — and the Chiefs have been in cap trouble for a while — in addition to the general, day-to-day management of the team. “He’s not a big disciplinarian or big on chain of command,” a source said, “so people did what they wanted.”
“It’s more about his management skills,” another source added. For instance, the typically stable Chiefs also made waves this offseason when Dorsey released director of football administration Trip MacCracken and director of pro scouting Will Lewis. Each man had been with the team for at least four years, and not only were their dismissals surprising, there weren’t many answers to be found, even inside the organization. “Those decisions were totally John’s,” a source said. “That’s the kind of stuff he does.” Sources also critiqued Dorsey’s management style, noting that while he was often friendly and jovial, the same tongue-in-cheek manner he used to win over most people over eventually wore on others.
“It could rub people the wrong way at times,” a source said. Dorsey still has fans inside the Chiefs organization. They cited his passion for the game, constant availability and eye for talent as respected strengths. “Loved working for him,” one source said. “Great dude.” “He was always great to us …,” another source added, “You hate to see something like this happen.” Dorsey also has a number of supporters across the league, as an overwhelming amount of league sources who dealt with him on a regular basis — approaching a dozen — told The Star. “He was always a guy that would listen, was a pro, good to work with,” one league source said.
“One of my favorite people in 20 years in the business,” another source said. “Honest and straightforward. Man of conviction. Was shocked and sad to see the news.” Multiple sources also called Dorsey a friend on a personal level, noting that it was not unusual for him to call just to say “hello,” even when on vacation. “A consummate pro’s pro in negotiations,” one league source said. “Always up front and straight, and a super talent and football evaluator.” Other league sources agreed with that notion, adding that Dorsey’s standing as an evaluator of talent remains peerless. “He is a dyed-in-the-wool scout, loves the element of watching college players, loves breaking down film,” said Andrew Brandt, who spent 10 years as a Green Bay Packers vice president alongside Dorsey and writes for TheMMQB.com. “That always seemed like that’s what he was most happy, and most comfortable, doing.”
It’s a trait that, communication and management issues aside, many league sources believe will be difficult for the Chiefs to replace, especially on the heels of the club losing Dorsey’s talented and respected right-hand man Chris Ballard to Indianapolis five months ago. Ballard is now the Colts’ GM. “I loved him,” one league source said of Dorsey. “Blunt, honest and a great talent evaluator. Losing him and Ballard in one offseason is insane.” Brandt said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs prioritized talent evaluation, along with leadership and communication, with their next hire. The Chiefs are already over the projected 2018 salary cap, but there’s a widely-held belief around the league that whatever cap issues they have can be rectified in a year or two.
“We have this traditional version of an NFL GM coming from a scouting background, like John — and that’s the most popular GM model,” Brandt said. “Then there are a few coming from more of my background, which is from the financial side, about business and cap contracts. The third model is one Andy had in Philly, which is coach/GM. “To me, the real underappreciated trait you want from a GM is leadership and communication, because the GM will be coming from one of those backgrounds and will need to communicate seamlessly with what he’s not an expert at. Teams sometimes rush to sign an expert in one area while maybe not taking into account the necessity for communication in other areas.”