The Jets Whiffed On Their Biggest Signing In Team History
*Note: As I write these Jets blogs, I find myself finishing every sentence with the disclaimer like “I mean, of course its the Jets so this probably wont work out at all.” So for the sake of brevity, lets put one gigantic asterisk on this and I wont end every sentence walking back what I just said. Of COURSE I understand none of this is going to work and it doesnt matter who the head coach is because the Jets are doomed to an eternity of failure until the sun explodes. But we at least have to talk about their moves and what should happen and what would probably work. So just understand I know this is all a waste of time.
Given the circumstances with a guy like Darnold in place and $100 million to spend, you could very reasonably make the argument that this is the most realistic shot the Jets have ever had to build a contender. Of course its always dramatic when I throw an “of all time” or “in team history” on to a statement, but I truly believe this is the most pivotal moment the franchise has probably ever seen. Now, of course, you know me – I am all but guaranteeing the fact they go 7-9, 8-8, 6-10 the next three years and we’re stuck in football purgatory for eternity. But there’s always that 1% chance (maybe 0.01% chance with the Jets) and at this current juncture, that 0.01% is as good as its ever gonna look.
The quarterback is (probably, mostly) in place. Darnold should be good enough based on what we saw. As long as we surround him with the right talent…in walks $100 million in cap space. Again, check, and check. 100 mil should buy you a weapon or 3 if youre not a buffoon. But the other thing that you need to ensure that young quarterback reaches his potential and the team turns everything around – from culture to results – is a head coach. And the Jets just hired a Miami Dolphins retread who went 23-25 so far in his career. He JUST got fired from a team within your own division. Its well known that every player in the locker room fucking hated him. At the very best hes a work in progress who needs his own time to develop and work out the kinks and you cannot afford to have that when Sam Darnold needs to be afforded that slack to do the same thing on the field. He’s neither sexy nor safe. Hes stuck in the middle – just completely shitty. As I type this out I realize hes the perfect Jets head coach.
The head coach options werent exactly the greatest. But on one end of the spectrum was a guy like Kingsbury, who while unproven was a literal and figurative sexy option that you could at least envision him inspiring the players and implementing a fresh new age style of football and in a perfect world he and Darnold would become this rock star duo taking on New York together as their careers unfold. On the other end of the spectrum was Mike McCarthy. Super Bowl winning head coach. Spent the last 13 years with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Packers fans were happy to see him go but thats only because they are asshole Rodgers apologists. Probably a bit over the hill but a sound football option. Those were either end of the coaching spectrum and the Jets went perfectly smack in the middle with neither.
Everyone heard Mike McCarthy say he only wanted to interview with the Jets and that should have been all it took. Word on the street is that he wanted too much power. He asked for Belichick type power. Well fucking give it to him! Who the fuck cares! What, are we worried that Mike fucking MACCAGNAN wont have control??? Does Jets ownership and front office have such a good track record that we’re worried about handing over power to a guy who has WON A SUPER BOWL?? Its not like we’re giving the keys to Kingsbury and theres a chance the entire franchise becomes an embarrassment. (Guess what? We already are.) At the very worst, you become the Packers of the last few seasons, which is the Jets of EVERY SEASON. I understand its never a great idea to give entire control to a guy unless hes an immortal. But beggars cant be choosers, and the Jets also needed to go outside of their comfort zone on this hire to ensure that you have the right guy coupled with your ONLY shot at a franchise QB. McCarthy knew his leverage, asked for the moon, the Jets balked and now they have a shitty head coach for the next 4 years until we do this all over again. And we just have to pray to fucking God the next 4 years of shitty coaching doesnt somehow ruin Sam Darnolds career.
PS – the fact that a phone call from fucking Peyton Manning is what sealed the deal for Adam Gase is so goddam motherfucking annoying. The notion that Adam Gase had ANY sort of impact on Peyton Manning is laugh out loud funny. I coulda been his head coach with Marty R-word Mush as his coordinator and Peyton would have played exactly the same. Of course Adam Gase’s buddy called and gave him a good word. Anybody who bases their hires off of a fucking recommendation is an idiot. But then again, I am writing about the New York Jets and how they can become a contender, so who’s the real idiot?