Jets HC Adam Gase On Hot Seat?

Jets HC Adam Gase is currently the odds-on favorite to be the first NFL head coach fired this season, and anyone who put money on Gase’s termination might be getting their payout in short order.

According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com, team brass is “looking at” Gase, with the clear implication being that the 42-year-old sideline general needs his team to perform well against the Colts today and against the Broncos on Thursday night to retain his job (video link). Though Jets CEO Chris Johnson was very complimentary of Gase prior to the club’s Week 2 shellacking at the hands of the depleted 49ers, it seems as if the Jets’ uninspired showing over the first two games of the season has landed Gase in hot water.

Gase has hardly had a competitive roster to work with since he was hired in January 2019, and the team has been hit hard by the injury bug, which is perhaps why Johnson made it clear that he was not issuing a “playoffs or bust” mandate this season. But there have been plenty of reports suggesting that Gase is not a particularly effective leader in the locker room and that he does not have the full support of his players. His play-calling abilities — long considered the highlight of his resume — have also come under increased scrutiny, and the fact that QB Sam Darnold has not developed as hoped under Gase’s tutelage is not helping matters (even if there are multiple reasons for that lack of progress).

Mortensen also reports that players complained about practice intensity this week, so it doesn’t sound as if Gase’s relationship with his players is getting any better. The Colts are heavy favorites to defeat Gang Green this afternoon, but the Broncos will be starting backup QB Jeff Driskel on Thursday, so blowout losses at the hands of both clubs could certainly trigger Gase’s ouster.

If that happens, GM Joe Douglas — who is dealing with some criticism as well — will presumably have the opportunity to hire his own HC.

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