Adam Gase is going to get another chance to get things right at One Jets Drive in 2020.
Christopher Johnson reaffirmed his faith in Gase on Wednesday, stating that there would be no head coaching change at season’s end. Gase will return.
Between Sam Darnold’s regression and numerous embarrassing losses in winnable games, Jets fans have been calling for Gase’s head for a while now. It seems like there is an endless list of reasons why New York should part ways with its embattled first-year head coach. However, there are still a few reasons why Gase returning in 2020 makes sense.
Let’s take a look at what those reasons could be.
Continuity for Darnold
Sam Darnold’s regression has been evident in 2019. He hasn’t looked anything like the quarterback that ended his rookie season on a tear. That could be traced back to Gase’s inability to develop New York’s franchise quarterback — something he was specifically brought in to accomplish.
With that being said, firing Gase now might prevent any chance of Darnold turning it around in 2020. If Gase was shown the door, Darnold would be forced to learn his third offense in as many years. That’s not ideal for any quarterback, nonetheless one who is still 22 years old.
Will Darnold be able to take the next step in his second season playing in Gase’s system? Only time will tell. At least he won’t have to hit the classroom to learn a completely new playbook, though.
Injuries
Any defense of Gase begins with New York’s poor luck with injuries in 2019.
So far this season, the Jets have lost Avery Williamson, C.J. Mosley, Sam Darnold, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson, Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman, Trumaine Johnson, Brian Winters, Kelechi Osemele, Chris Herndon, Brian Winters and Kelvin Beachum either for the year or an extended period of time. How exactly is Gase supposed to win with a bunch of backups on the field on a weekly basis?
Yes, good coaches adjust and get the job done regardless of personnel. With that being said, it would be foolish to ignore the rash of injuries that have hampered Gase in 2019.
Morale
If Gase has one thing going for him right now, it’s that his players actually seem to like him.
Gase’s downfall in Miami was his failure to maintain a solid relationship with some of his players. That has not been the case for him so far with the Jets. Jamal Adams and Jonotthan Harrison voiced their support for Gase once Johnson announced that he would be returning for another season. Darnold has also vouched for him.
That almost certainly wouldn’t have happened with the Dolphins.
Money
It’s hard to see Christopher Johnson having any desire to pay two head coaches at once.
If the Jets fired Gase at season’s end, they’d be on the hook for the rest of his contract. After firing Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, New York would have to pay those two, Gase, the new head coach and Joe Douglas. That’s not a situation that seems to be appealing to any owner, let alone Johnson.
Saving Face
Finally, one reason not to fire Gase now would be that doing so would be an admission of failure on Christopher Johnson’s part.
Gase was the first head coach Johnson hired after taking over day to day operations of the Jets in 2017. To oust the coach after one year on the job would be an awful look for the CEO. Fans should hope that’s not one of the main motivators in this decision, but no owner wants to have egg on their cface.
The odds seem long, but if Gase can turn things around in 2020, Johnson can avoid that.
