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Now this will connect them . . .
with two other veteran quarterbacks.
The Jets hired Todd Downing as their passing game coordinator. He comes over from the Tenneesee Titans, where he was the offensive coordinator the last two years.
He was fired the day after this past regular season ended by head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Titans offense took a big step back this past season, but it should be pointed out that their starting QB, Ryan Tannehill, was hobbled by a high ankle sprain the second half of the season, which eventually landed him on IR, and the GM, who was fired in-season, made the mind-bobbling decisions to make super-raw rookie project Malik Willis the primary backup. Their offensive line also stunk, after losing franchise left tackle Taylor Lewan in Week 2.
The year before, the Titans had a terrific offense, finishing 12-5 and making the playoffs.
Not making excuses for Downing, just trying to provide some context.
Is he Bill Walsh no, but he’s not a terrible coach.
And all his experience as an OC with the Oakland Raiders and Titans, will make him a very good resource for new Jets OC Nate Hackett to lean on.
The Jets former OC, Mike LaFleur, had nobody on his offensive staff last season, who called plays in the NFL.
It’s always good to have a sounding board who has done it before.
But getting back to the original point, the hiring of Downing will now connect the Jets to Tannehill and Derek Carr.
Woody Johnson is looking for a veteran QB.
And while they have their eyes set on Aaron Rodgers, it’s unclear if he will be available.
The Packers did something really smart from a PR standpoint over the weekend. They leaked to a media surrogate that they will trade Rodgers if that is what he wants.
This is brilliant from a PR standpoint. Clearly, many Packers fans, don’t want the team to trade their franchise QB and future Hall-of-Famer, who they feel gives them the best chance to win. However, if he’s the one that wants out, and the team isn’t forcing him out, that sheds the organization in a more positive light with many fans.
So this was an intelligent move leaking this to a media surrogate, and dropping it on Super Bowl Sunday. It squarely put the ball in Rodgers’ court.
As long-time Packers insider, Pete Dougherty, said last week, “I have heard that [The Packers] are okay with either way it goes.”
So this truly is a fluid situation. They would be happy to keep him and try to go on a Super Bowl run next season, but they aren’t going to hold him hostage, and if he wants out, they will oblige him.
I heard from a source close to the Jets on Saturday, Woody wants him, if he can get him.
But if the Packers don’t trade him, the Jets will have to go in another direction for a veteran QB.
Since Downing coached Carr and Tannehill, that makes both of them even strong possibilities than they were before the Jets made this hire on Monday.
Carr, who has a 63-79 record in nine seasons, is expected to be released by the Raiders shortly, to avoid a big cap, and because they don’t believe in him anymore.
As for Tannehill, the Titans just hired long-time San Francisco executive Ran Carthan as their new GM, so there is speculation around the league that they might try to trade for 49ers QB Trey Lance, who he loved in the draft.
So those are two more names to keep an eye on in Woody’s pursuit of a veteran QB.
February 13, 2023
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