The Jets’ love for Brace Hall may not be as deep as they previously believed.
While interviewed at Fox Sports Radio and the 2025 NFL Draft Live Watching Party, former Jets general manager Joe Douglas revealed he was “dead” in drafting Jahmyr Gibbs.
“Two years ago we just had an Aaron Rodgers deal,” Douglas said. “In that deal we floped the pick with Green Bay, we went from 13 to 15. So we were absolutely dead set, ready to take heat at the time, but set in Yamir Gibbs.
Douglas added that no one would take Gibbs until he was in his 20s, until the Lions chose to trade down from No. 6 in the draft to No. 12.
That trade became the Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. in No. 6, and the Lions were made like bandits, drafting Gibbs in No. 12 and creating tight end Matt La Porta at No. 34.
Gibbs ran for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns on the Lions’ powerhouse offense last season.
Oddly, the Jets already had a star who would return to the team when they were targeting Gibbs.
Gang Green drafted a draft that drove Israeli Abanikanda back in the fifth round, but he was abandoned in December and he is no longer on the roster as the 49ers claimed.
Hall got caught up in trade rumours as he entered the final year of his rookie contract.
The Jets wanted to compete for the Super Bowl, so they traded for Rogers all in 2023.
Of course, that season ended with misery as Achilles torn on the Jets’ opening drive in 2023. Gang Green struggled to record 7-10 behind Zack Wilson.
Douglas had a similar mindset when he added receiver Davante Adams in 2024, who tried to save the tanking season.
The Jets finished with a 5-12 record in 2024, and Douglas was fired by owner Woody Johnson just six weeks after the Jets GM fired coach Robert Sale.
