FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- In two offseasons, general manager Joe Douglas has revamped the New York Jets' roster, but the results -- a 6-27 record -- haven't followed.
"For me, I have to do a better job," Douglas said Monday at his end-of-season news conference. "This is going to be my third offseason and so I've got to do a better job and make better decisions moving forward and help coach [Robert] Saleh to put this team in position to win more games."
The Jets, with Saleh in his first season, finished 4-13 with perhaps the youngest roster in the NFL. The 2021 season was all about rebuilding and developing rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, leading to acute growing pains along the way.
The team was competitive in the home stretch, but the bottom line was an 11th straight year out of the playoffs -- the NFL's longest active drought.
"Four wins is not good enough," Douglas said. "Six wins in two years is not good enough. We have to be better, specifically in the division. We have to win divisional games."
The Jets are 0-12 in the AFC East over the past two seasons. Armed with four draft picks in the top 38, including the fourth and 10th overall choices, Douglas has enough draft capital to fill holes on the roster. He also will have about $55 million in cap room for free agency.
Douglas, known for his measured approach in the draft and free agency, hinted he might be more aggressive this offseason.
"The good thing is, moving forward, we can be in just about every discussion when it comes to player trades," said Douglas, who has traded several veterans during his tenure.
Douglas was hired in June 2019, which means he had no time to impact the 2019 roster. The Jets went 7-9 that year under Adam Gase, who was fired the following year after a 2-14 disaster. Douglas was empowered to hire the new coach, Saleh.
He praised Saleh on Monday, saying the first-year coach handled a "monumental player-development task ... You could see the growth of our young team as the season progressed."
The Jets started 10 different rookies, most notable Wilson, who finished 30th out of 31 qualifying passers in Total QBR.
"I saw a ton of growth from Zach this year," said Douglas, alluding to Wilson's interception-free stretch over the final five games. "We feel very confident about his development moving forward."
Douglas was noncommittal on whether he will try to extend defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who is eligible for a new contract. The Jets want Williams on the team for "a long time," he said, but wouldn't say if he's interested in opening negotiations.
In a mild surprise, Saleh said he would like to re-sign backup quarterback Joe Flacco, who was acquired in a midseason trade. Saleh said he liked the mix in the quarterback room, with Wilson, Flacco and Mike White. Saleh raved about Flacco's intangibles and impact on the younger players.
This marks a change of heart for Saleh, who said before the season he wasn't interested in having an experienced backup.