Jets CEO: Gase ‘has my trust,’ will return in ’20

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Despite a 2-7 record and fan unrest, New York Jets CEO Christopher Johnson gave a strong vote of confidence to his head coach Wednesday, declaring Adam Gase will be back next season.

Johnson revealed that he shared the same feelings with the team last Wednesday — three days after an embarrassing loss to the previously winless Miami Dolphins.

“I want to assure you there will be no changes in coaches here,” Johnson said in an opening statement to reporters. “Adam has the trust of this team. He has the trust of Sam [Darnold]. He has Joe [Douglas’] trust. He has my trust. He’s a good man, he’s a good coach.”

Asked if his commitment applies to after the season as well, Johnson nodded.

“Even after the season,” he said.

Gase, hired in January largely because of his offensive acumen, has presided over one of the worst offenses in franchise history, enraging the fan base.

Johnson, speaking publicly for the first time since Douglas was hired as the general manager in June, called the season “exceedingly frustrating.” However, he commended Gase for keeping the team from fracturing.

“It’s the trust I see,” Johnson said when asked why he was still confident in Gase. “Seeing him work with Sam … gives me a lot of confidence. Seeing him work with Joe. It’s a whole new dynamic in this building. It’s a really positive dynamic. They have the same vision for this team going forward.

“There are a number of reasons, but those are two really big ones why I feel confident about Adam as our coach going forward.”

Gase told reporters that he was appreciative of Johnson’s comments, saying the CEO has “been nothing but supportive” to the entire coaching staff.

“It all comes down to winning games,” Gase said. “It hasn’t gone exactly the way that we thought, but we’ve still got a lot of football left to be played. We’ve got to do a good job improving each week and trying to find a way to win a game.”

Darnold hasn’t progressed in his second year — he’s 2-4 as the starting quarterback — but he missed three games due to mononucleosis. The team has been crushed by injuries, with 13 players on injured reserve. The offensive line also has disappointed.

When it was suggested that Darnold has regressed, Johnson said, “It can be spun that way. We’ve had a lot of adversity. Sam hasn’t been given the best opportunity to thrive. We’ve had so many moving parts of the offensive line that I think it’s affected his ability to play as he would like. But I’m hoping for some more stability there.”

Johnson punted when asked about the future of star safety Jamal Adams, who recently said he was “hurt” that he was dangled in trade talks. Adams was so upset, he refused to speak with Gase and Douglas for a week, eventually accepting a sit-down meeting with Johnson.

Johnson spoke glowingly of Adams, but declined to say whether he has a long-term future in New York. Adams, who is eligible for a new contract after the season, almost certainly will demand a new deal.

“He’s the kind of player you can build around [and] you should build around, given the chance,” Johnson said. “He’s absolutely amazing. I would love to have him on the team for the rest of his career. I would truly love that. Whether he is or not, that’s up to Jamal, No. 1. But it’s [also] up to Joe.

“When I hired Joe, I told him he had control of the 53. I told him I would have a very light touch when it came to influence, and I intend to follow through with that. I would love to have Jamal on this team forever.”

Johnson, too, has come under fire. The Jets are 11-30 since he became the acting owner in 2017. He stayed quiet throughout the season, incurring the wrath of the fan base. The Jets are coming off a win, so perhaps he saw this week as an opening to address Gase’s future.

“It’s said that you are what your record says you are, and that’s not very impressive,” Johnson said. “But looking forward, I think it’s going to be a good team. I have so much faith in Adam and Joe to put together a great future for us.”

ESPN’s John Keim contributed to this report.

About The Author