Former New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas has found a new destination after being fired by Woody Johnson. The 48-year-old has returned to the Philadelphia Eagles, his previous employer before he joined the Jets in 2019.
Joe Douglas Returns to Eagles
Several sources have reported that Douglas has accepted a senior scouting role within the Eagles. However, the Eagles and Douglas have yet to publicly comment.
Douglas is familiar with the role, as he was the Vice President of Player Personnel from 2016 to 2019. He also had an extensive stint with the Baltimore Ravens. As the right-hand man to general manager Howie Roseman, he coincided with their successful period, when they won their first Super Bowl in 2017.
The roster moves helped turn around a 7-9 roster that missed the playoffs the year prior, to winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history. He was with the team when they drafted quarterback Carson Wentz in 2016 and signed Nick Foles to be his understudy in 2017. Wentz was the frontrunner for MVP that season before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Foles then took over in Week 14 and led them to the promised land.
The #Eagles are hiring former #Jets GM Joe Douglas, bringing him back to Philadelphia to rejoin Howie Roseman's front office — where he previously worked from 2016 to 2019, per @Jeff_McLane. pic.twitter.com/4MUakDSSSh
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate)
Douglas was also involved in the draft process. The Eagles had some hits, like taking offensive tackle Jordan Mailata in the 7th round in 2018. Mailata has since played 74 games for the Eagles and remains their starting left tackle. Douglas left the Eagles in 2019 to join the New York Jets as their general manager.
Douglas’ Time at New York Jets Marred by Major Quarterback Mistakes
Douglas first worked with then-head coach Adam Gase, with whom he had a previous relationship. When Gase was fired, Douglas held on to his job and led the interview process for the next head coach. He went with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Salah.
Douglas hit on many players in the NFL Draft, stockpiling players like Alijah Vera-Tucker, Sauce Gardner, and Garrett Wilson for the Jets. Unfortunately, it was his decisions at the game’s most important position, quarterback, that backfired.
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He oversaw the final years of Sam Darnold’s time in New York. In Douglas’ second season with the Jets, they won two of their last three games and missed the chance to draft Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick.
They selected Zach Wilson with the second overall pick, and that set the team back as the BYU product proved he was not ready to be a starting NFL quarterback. Douglas and Salah then pinned their hopes on an aging Aaron Rodgers, and when that did not work out, the Jets overhauled the organization, firing both the head coach and the general manager.
