Jets Coach Adam Gase Just Committed the Ultimate Fireable Offense
To call the Adam Gase era a disaster would be an insult to the word. The supposed offensive guru has essentially ruined Sam Darnold’s career in less than a year-and-a-half on the job. Meanwhile, the New York Jets appear well on their way to securing the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft after falling to 0-4.
And in last night’s loss to the Denver Broncos, Gase just committed the ultimate fireable offense that should leave no doubt about his future in New York. But will the Jets finally get rid of their head coach before it’s too late?
Adam Gase has brought his losing ways from Miami to New York
Though Peyton Manning has spoken highly of Adam Gase’s offensive mind, the Jets head coach has done little to prove the NFL legend correct. In Miami, Gase posted a dismal 23-25 record over three years. Despite having an offensive head coach, the Dolphins struggled mightily on that side of the ball.
In Gase’s first year on the job, Miami ranked 17th in points scored and 24th in total yards. That actually represented the peak for the offense. The following year, the Dolphins plummeted to 28th in scoring and 25th in yards. In Gase’s final season in Miami, his offense ranked just 26th in scoring and finished ahead of only the 3-13 Arizona Cardinals in total yards.
Even after getting fired by one of their division rivals, the Jets shockingly hired the ex-Dolphins coach. So far, that decision looks horrific.
Once again, the coach with a supposed gift for calling and designing plays trotted out a disappointing offense. New York finished 31st in scoring in Gase’s first year on the job.
Le’Veon Bell failed to live up to his monster contract and averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. Sam Darnold did increase his completion percentage slightly. However, he absorbed 33 sacks in 13 starts and finished the season with a QBR of 43.5, which ranked ahead of only Mitchell Trubisky, Kyle Allen, Andy Dalton, and Mason Rudolph.
Gase just committed the ultimate fireable offense
After getting off to an 0-3 start, speculation surrounding Gase’s future in New York only intensified this week. Thursday night represented an opportunity for the Jets to get a win against a Broncos team that started former undrafted free agent Brett Rypien at quarterback. However, Gase and his team failed to capitalize and now sit at 0-4 with just 65 points scored this season.
But don’t let the box score tell you the whole story. Because in the 38-27 loss, Gase committed the ultimate fireable offense that should leave the organization no choice but to cut ties with the disappointing head coach.
Going into the game, rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Deemed to be an emergency option, Gase elected to insert the banged-up rookie just four plays into the game. The 11th overall pick clearly did not look healthy or comfortable, and he eventually got removed from the game.
To make matters worse, Sam Darnold got driven violently into the ground and injured his throwing shoulder playing behind an offensive line that included Becton. Though Darnold later returned, the fact Gase entrusted an untested, injured rookie to protect his franchise quarterback demonstrates his incompetence. Knowingly putting your most important player in harm’s way is a cardinal coaching sin, especially when your quarterback is still in the early stages of his development.
Plus, putting Becton on the field increased his own chances of aggravating his pre-existing shoulder injury. At the end of the day, Gase compromised the team’s two most important offensive players and still ended up losing.
The Jets need to find a new coach before Sam Darnold is completely ruined
Adam Gase’s incompetence as an NFL head coach will cost the Jets more than losses. At this point, the team runs the risk of completely ruining any chance of Darnold reaching his potential.
Just two years ago, New York traded valuable draft capital to move up to select a franchise QB. By landing Darnold, it appeared as though the Jets had found the answer to their quarterback woes.
Of course, the team trusted Gase to mold the promising prospect into an elite player. Yet, Darnold has not developed into a star or even a competent starter.
Through four games, the former No. 3 overall pick has completed just 59.4% of his passes for 792 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. Darnold has also taken 12 sacks—a concerning number considering the resources the Jets poured into their offensive line this offseason.
Meanwhile, Gase continues to be employed despite failing to turn the Jets around. Ultimately, the team needs to take swift action and fire the disappointing head coach before it’s too late. Otherwise, Darnold’s development will be forever ruined, and the Jets will have to go on the hunt for a new quarterback yet again.
And they will have no one to blame but themselves for keeping Adam Gase around this long.
All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
