Davante Adams’ Reaction to Joe Douglas Firing: ‘Unexpected Yet Understandable’
Was Joe Douglas’ departure from the New York Jets inevitable?
The Jets let go of their general manager on Tuesday following a troubling start to the 2024 season, with a record of 3-8. Wide receiver Davante Adams shared his thoughts on the “Up & Adams” show with Kay Adams, expressing that he wasn’t overly shocked by the decision.
“When a team isn’t winning and things aren’t going as planned, changes are necessary,” he stated.
As a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Adams was recently acquired through a trade orchestrated by Douglas. Just a day after a defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, the Jets sent a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Las Vegas Raiders for Adams.
Since Adams joined the team, the Jets have managed to win just one game – this occurred nearly a month ago.
Douglas’ firing marks the second significant personnel shake-up for the Jets during the current season. Earlier, the team dismissed head coach Robert Saleh following a Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.
“I wasn’t actually here for the coaching change, but having experienced something similar in Vegas, when performance is lacking, adjustments usually follow,” Adams remarked.
“You start to expect changes based on how the season has gone and the team’s performance. There has to be accountability somewhere, and often it falls on the coaches and management, which is just the way things go.”
“I don’t know if it was the correct decision or not; I’m still new here and learning how the organization operates. I’m not in a position to say if it was warranted; that’s just the usual course of events.”
Later, he addressed rumors suggesting he wasn’t a preferred choice of Douglas and that his trade was influenced by external pressures, including from ownership or quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Adams emphasized that he felt supported by Douglas. He noted that even before joining the Jets, Rodgers had spoken positively about discussions he’d had with Douglas.
“I was completely unaware of the notion that I wasn’t a Joe D guy; I didn’t know that was a perspective. But that’s absolutely not true,” Adams affirmed.