Robert Saleh was fired! Nathaniel Hackett was demoted! Now, Joe Douglas joins them in the latest round of changes in the Jets backroom staff. They would be going into the offseason with a complete overhaul thanks to their owner, Woody Johnson. Although the fans weren’t really questioning Johnson’s decision to make those changes, this little secret could change their opinion.

After the Jets 10-9 home loss to the Broncos in week 4, Johnson suggested a wild idea to his coaches. And guess what? He wanted their four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to be benched. For whom? Giants QB Daniel Jones last season’s backup Tyrod Taylor. While his choice didn’t come to fruition, that meeting changed the course of the Jets foundation a week later.

So what happened? This time, Johnson didn’t care about anyone’s opinion and went ahead and fired Robert Saleh. Well, it was more surprising because Johnson fired a head coach in the middle of a season for the first time in 25 years. This indicated a shift of powers from his general manager. Well, that wasn’t the only instance Douglas was undermined behind the scenes.

When Douglas had a contract extension ready for defensive end, Bryce Huff. Johnson didn’t allow it, as Huff ended up signing for the Eagles in the offseason. Running up to January this year, Douglas found himself stunned yet again. As Woody decided to fire his assistant general manager, Rex Hogan. After this decision, there were even reports from Jets staffers that Douglas even wanted Woody to fire him. One of the team’s sources expressed to The Athletic that Douglas was just a “hostage.”

Well, those instances of sidelining Douglas’s opinion didn’t end there. When social media influenced Johnson to sign both free agents Tyron Smith and Mike Williams, Douglas decided to play along. Now, Smith has allowed the most sacks in his O-line this season, while Williams was traded to the Steelers before the trade deadline. But those changes might not be the end of it all. As there is “no guarantee” of Aaron Rodgers reprising his role next season.

Aaron Rodgers’ possible exit looming large as Woody Johnson continues to shuffle his team

In a season that was supposed to break the Jets’ 13-year hiatus from the playoffs. It’s set to enter its 14th after the Jets lost to the Colts by just a point last week. This means they are now 3-8 with a bare glimmer of hope of making it to the postseason. Their veteran QB, who could play one full game last season, returned from an Achilles injury. But his performances in green and white haven’t met the Jets’ expectations. Averaging just 225.8 yards until 10 weeks, Rodgers is nowhere near the level the Jets nation would have wanted.

This might have let The Athletic’s Dianna Russini break the news about Rodgers’ future, “Let’s be clear. There is no guarantee Aaron Rodgers will be back in a Jets uniform in 2025.” After playing 11 games this season, the future Hall of Famer has already thrown seven interceptions. With a QBR of 51.9 until week 10, Rodgers is all set to record one of his worst seasons in the NFL.

There ain’t any guaranteed money left in Rodgers’ contract next year. But a $49M dead cap hit and no-trade clause does put question marks on his looming exit after this season. So, it remains to be seen whether Aaron Rodgers can change Johnson’s opinion before the season ends. Or will it be just a failed chapter in his 20-year legacy in the NFL? Guess we will soon find out, as it’s now or never for the Jets next week.