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That headline above applies to so many things in 2024, in sports, and the world outside of sports.
Very confusing times we live in.
And this Rex Hogan story is another one of those deals where it’s hard to wrap your head around what to believe.
Last Wednesday, SNY’s Connor Hughes announced on Twitter (X): “The #Jets and (assistant GM) Rex Hogan have mutually agreed to part ways.”
That was the same day The Athletic published a blockbuster story with 30 sources painting the 2023-24 Jet season in a bad light rife with dysfunction.
So many fans concluded that Hogan’s departure was because he was perhaps one of the sources in the story. This was just based on anecdotal evidence: A story comes out with a lot of sources on the same day the assistant GM is moving on.
But then a few beat writers, quoted a source, saying it happened three weeks ago.
“It broke on Wednesday, with the NFL world stationed in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl, but his departure actually occurred immediately after the season, according to people familiar with the situation, wrote ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Hughes attacked a fan on Twitter connecting the Hogan departure to the blockbuster story in The Athletic.
If this happened after the season, why wasn’t it announced?
Just like, why if the Jets are hiring Shawn Jefferson as their wide receiver coach, hasn’t anything been said about their current receiver coach, Zach Azzanni?
What about more transparency?
Why did the Jets move on from Hogan? According to Hughes, “The move allows Hogan, who spent the last five seasons as the team’s assistant general manager, to explore other opportunities.”
Hughes added: “Hogan is well respected around the league,” tweeted Hughes. “He will be a sought-after front office free agent.”
Why are some in the media making Hogan into Bobby Beathard?
“Folks in the scouting community were stunned by the news assistant general manager Rex Hogan is no longer with the Jets,” wrote Cimini.
What people in the scouting community? Rex seems like a nice man, but he’s been with the Jets, Colts and Bears in recent years working for teams that haven’t won a lot.
I’m not blaming him for most of his employers having losing records, but the flowery praise of this man makes you wonder what is going on here.
Why would the Jets move on from Hogan in January, when he oversees the scouting department and the draft is three months away?
Teams generally don’t do that. They usually wait until after the draft to make changes to their scouting operation. After all, 3/4 of the draft prep is done at this point, and a guy like Hogan has traveled around the country the last few months, on their dime, gathering information on college prospects.
Why are these reporters effusively praising Hogan?
We report, you decide.
February 5, 2024