Former Jets GM Joe Douglas Drawing Interest from Falcons for Top Front Office Role
Joe Douglas might be on the verge of a front office comeback - and this time, it could be in the NFC South.
After five rocky seasons as general manager of the New York Jets, Douglas was let go midway through the 2024 campaign. His tenure produced some promising moments, but the bottom line was hard to ignore: a 30-64 record that ultimately spelled the end of his time in New York.
Since then, Douglas has been working in a senior personnel assistant role with the Philadelphia Eagles, staying close to the action while recalibrating his next move. And now, it looks like that move could be right around the corner.
According to reports, the Atlanta Falcons have requested permission to interview Douglas for their vacant general manager position. It's a notable development - and not just because of Douglas' résumé.
The Falcons are in the middle of a significant front office overhaul after a disappointing 8-9 finish in 2025 that left them just shy of the NFC South title. That record, coupled with unmet expectations, led to the departures of GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris.
Atlanta has already filled the coaching vacancy, bringing in former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to lead the team. Now, they’re in search of a GM to pair with Stefanski - and Douglas is firmly on their radar.
What makes this potential pairing compelling is the contrast in organizational structure. In New York, Douglas had full control over personnel decisions and coaching hires. He was the one who brought in Robert Saleh as head coach back in 2021, and the chain of command was clear: Saleh reported to Douglas, who reported directly to owner Woody Johnson.
That won’t be the setup in Atlanta. Stefanski is already in place, meaning any incoming GM will be working alongside a head coach who wasn’t their hire. For Douglas, that’s a different dynamic - but perhaps a welcome one, given how things played out in New York.
It’s also worth noting that Douglas isn’t the only former Jet finding new life in the league. Saleh, after a one-year stint as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, just landed the head coaching job in Tennessee. Now, Douglas could be next in line for a second shot - this time with a franchise looking to reset and retool for a playoff push.
For the Falcons, bringing in someone like Douglas would mean betting on experience - someone who’s made the big decisions, learned from the fallout, and is ready to apply those lessons in a new environment. Whether that’s the direction Atlanta ultimately goes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Joe Douglas is back in the conversation.