Russini’s what I’m hearing: The day the Jets fell apart and the Broncos rallied, Belichick best fits

The New York football scene has turned into competing tragedies, with the Giants’ Daniel Jones saga going up against the Jets’ all-encompassing disaster. Earlier this week, my colleague Zack Rosenblatt and I delved into the Jets’ organizational chaos, starting at the top with owner Woody Johnson. The most shocking revelation: After a September loss to the Denver Broncos dropped the team to 2-2, a frustrated Johnson called a meeting with high-ranking team officials and coaches in which he suggested benching four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers. Unsurprisingly, those in the room were stunned. Johnson ultimately walked back the suggestion; he fired head coach Robert Saleh a week later.

This is what I’m hearing from around the league this week:

• What’s next for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets — and a former head coach the team should consider bringing back (no, not Rex Ryan)

• No hard feelings for Daniel Jones or the Giants

• How Darren Rizzi is making his case in New Orleans

• Theories about these late-game kicker struggles

• The three teams that are the best fit for Bill Belichick

But first, let’s rewind to that rainy afternoon at MetLife Stadium in Week 4, an inflection point for two teams that would soon head in very different directions.

Aaron Rodgers had a rough outing that day, but Bo Nix on the other side? He was so much worse. The rookie had 60 passing yards and led two scoring drives for the Denver offense. But here’s the thing: Denver didn’t flinch. No panic. No talk of benching Nix. From ownership to the coaching staff, the message was clear: Nix is their guy. After that ugly win, the focus in the Broncos’ meeting rooms and practices wasn’t about pointing fingers but figuring out how everyone could step up and help him succeed. That’s the mindset in Denver. Since the night they drafted him, they have made it clear they’re all-in on Nix, with head coach Sean Payton leading the charge. Nix has played so well of late that he’s now moved into the Offensive Rookie of the Year discussion.

When the NFL reached out about flexing Denver’s Week 16 game against the Chargers into a “Thursday Night Football” slot, the Broncos didn’t hesitate. Teams can refuse the flex to TNF, but not Denver. Why? Payton knows his team inside and out and believes in Nix’s ability to handle the bright lights of prime time. Some of it is also to push all his young players to get comfortable with the big moments. Instead of shying away from the spotlight, the Broncos are leaning into it. It’s all part of Payton’s vision.

Plus, the Broncos also get a rest advantage for their Week 17 game against the Bengals. Cincinnati, originally scheduled to play Cleveland on that Thursday night, was set to have nine days off before a game against the Broncos that could have playoff implications for both teams. Now, it’s the Broncos who get the extra rest. Also, Denver has been solid on the road this season, with a 3-2 record, making this prime-time challenge just another opportunity to show the Broncos are hungry to dance in January.

The Jets confront the truth

The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers triggered something of an “Operation Super Bowl” for the Jets. Now, they’ve pivoted to “Project Revamp.” The team is in full-scale rebuild mode, with ownership and senior executives already holding internal discussions to outline a fresh strategy for the franchise’s future. The Jets are actively imploring the opinions and input of franchise legends and respected figures around the NFL.

In other words: They are on a hunt for guidance.

It all begins with a search for a new general manager after they fired Joe Douglas this past week, a new head coach and a new quarterback. Johnson made the decision to fire Douglas during the bye week to allow the organization to begin strategizing for the future. A team source explained that Johnson wanted to show respect to Douglas by not having him remain in the building while discussions about his potential successor were underway. While many around the league were stunned Douglas was fired in-season, I’m told the 48-year-old knew change was coming.

Saleh learned about Douglas’ firing while in Green Bay, where he has been spending time observing and assisting his close friend, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. According to someone close to Saleh, the former Jets head coach was “very upset and emotional” upon hearing that Douglas had been sacked with several games left in the season. While Saleh knew Douglas was under scrutiny, he assumed the organization would let him finish out the year.

An NFL executive close to Douglas shared that the former Jets GM felt a sense of “relief” after his dismissal, particularly from the challenges of working under Woody Johnson. That same executive shared that, just hours after being fired, Douglas went fishing at the Jersey Shore, enjoying a stress-free environment after navigating several turbulent years with the organization. “It’s the happiest he’s sounded in a long time.”

It was less than 19 months ago when Joe Douglas (left), Aaron Rodgers and Robert Saleh were introduced as the faces of the New York Jets. (Elsa / Getty Images)

I’m told Johnson has lost confidence in Rodgers’ ability to lead the team to their first playoff berth in 14 years, a drought that stands as the longest in the major North American professional sports leagues. There are some on the team who believe everyone is simply tiptoeing around the fact that Rodgers isn’t the same player anymore. I’m told no decisions have been made yet, but it appears increasingly likely that the four-time MVP, who is banged up, could be placed on injured reserve or possibly benched over the next few weeks, signaling the end of his disastrous time with the Jets. Some around the league say they won’t be surprised if Rodgers is cut in-season. As for Rodgers, his relationship with the owner has been strained for months — that’s not a secret in the building or the locker room. At this point, after conversations with sources with the team and around the league, my understanding is that Rodgers still wants to play in 2025, just not for the New York Jets.

Replacing Rodgers won’t be easy. The free-agent QB market is lacking, with Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson among the top names — though Wilson is expected to stay with the Steelers and the Vikings could decide to keep Darnold if he’s willing to be a backup. Justin Fields, Derek Carr (whom the Jets pursued before Rodgers) and Daniel Jones are also potential targets, but none of them stand out as an ideal fit. The Jets could explore trading for Trevor Lawrence or drafting a quarterback, though the 2025 draft class appears weak. The Jets are determined to fix all of this, but their first challenge will be finding a way to attract top-tier candidates for the general manager and head coach positions. The franchise will need to convince potential hires that, despite well-known concerns within league circles regarding Woody Johnson’s leadership, those challenges will no longer pose a problem.

But who is going to believe them? Probably not a former head coach, but there’s one who doesn’t seem to care. Current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan has been on a full-blown campaign to convince Woody Johnson to bring him back as the Jets’ head coach. Give him credit: He knows what he would be walking into and still wants it — that’s bold. Ryan’s loud, brash style and creative defensive schemes are well-known, but if the Jets are toying around with the idea of giving a former head coach another shot, here’s a thought: Why not Eric Mangini?

I know, it sounds a little wild. Mangini, currently an analyst for Fox Sports, hasn’t coached since his time in San Francisco, first as Jim Harbaugh’s tight ends coach in 2014 and then Jim Tomsula’s defensive coordinator in ’15. But let’s be real: The Jets haven’t had a clear plan for winning both now and in the long term, and that’s exactly the kind of vision Mangini brought to the table when he coached the team from 2006 to ’08. One of the toughest challenges in the NFL is figuring out how to compete in the moment while building a foundation for consistent success, and Mangini showed he could do both.

Think back to his first year with the Jets. Alongside GM Mike Tannenbaum, Mangini helped assemble one of the strongest rosters the franchise has ever had: Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and, of course, Darrelle Revis, arguably the greatest cornerback in NFL history. Those players became the backbone of the Jets’ success a few years later under Ryan. Johnson has called the current roster the best he’s ever had as the Jets’ owner, but I’d argue the team Mangini helped build was better.

Sure, Mangini’s tenure wasn’t perfect, but his emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and ability to turn things around quickly left a lasting impact on the franchise. If the Jets really want to bring back someone who knows this organization and can lay a sustainable foundation, maybe it’s time to give the man once known as “Mangenius” another shot. I’m told the Jets are open to all options at this point as they continue to gather information on who their top candidates will be.

GO DEEPER

Why Joe Douglas never stood a chance as Jets GM

Daniel Jones chapter closes

Daniel Jones was released by the New York Giants and is expected to clear waivers by Monday. Teams interested in signing him can do so after 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, though it’s more likely that a signing would occur on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Another option: Jones might choose to wait for a quarterback-needy team to emerge later in the season, depending on how situations develop across the league. I’m told Jones and the Giants are at peace with how it was all handled.

Saquon Barkley, Jones’ close friend and former teammate who left to sign with the Eagles last offseason, shared his thoughts on Jones’ departure. Reflecting on his own transition from the Giants to the Eagles, Barkley said, “It didn’t work for me over there, and I’m doing well over here. Hopefully, he can find the same fresh start and success.” Barkley is having an MVP-caliber season with Philadelphia, leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (1,347).

Given the rejuvenations of Sam Darnold in Minnesota and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, it’s not out of the question that Jones can achieve success in a new city. Many around the league say they wouldn’t doubt it.

Rizzi makes compelling case for the Saints job

Continuing our focus on the northern New Jersey region, let’s talk about Bergen Catholic High School alumnus and Oradell native Darren Rizzi, the interim head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Since stepping into the role, Rizzi has led the Saints to consecutive victories, against the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns.

Darren Rizzi has the Saints pointed in the right direction. (Sean Gardner / Getty Images)

After the organization parted ways with Dennis Allen, Rizzi was a natural choice for the interim role, especially considering he was a finalist for the head coaching job two years ago. While Sean Payton’s positive influence remains within the organization, Rizzi has introduced his own approach, which has been well-received by players. He has focused on building strong relationships with team leaders and veterans, reorganizing the locker room to enhance player cohesion, and adjusting practice schedules to reduce injuries. He believes in a high volume of reps with less intensity during practices that players, including Derek Carr, have appreciated. He’s also allowing players an extra hour of sleep, a simple yet effective adjustment. An assistant coach shared: “Everything has a purpose with Rizzi.”

One veteran player explained: “We were thirsty for change, and Rizzi is bringing it.” There’s his “1/11th” philosophy, with the staff encouraging each player to take responsibility for their specific role — a Jersey version of “Do Your Job.” Rizzi wants the full-time job, and if he continues to win, owner Gayle Benson won’t be able to ignore a coach inspiring her locker room.

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Kickers collapsing in crunch time

If you’ve been following this column, you know I’ve been on a kick with kickers. (I’ll try to aim higher.) For most of the NFL season, we’ve been celebrating kickers showcasing their incredible leg strength, nailing field goals from 50 and even 60 yards with consistency. It’s really been mind-blowing.

But as many around the league anticipated (and we told you in this column), the trend is shifting, and there’s been a noticeable drop in accuracy on the most crucial kicks.

Week 11 highlighted the late-game struggles, with surprising misses from typically reliable kickers: Baltimore’s Justin Tucker and Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson (twice). The numbers back up the perception: In 2024, kickers have converted less than 80 percent of their second-half field goal attempts when the game is on the line (a tie or lead at stake). That marks the lowest rate in these high-pressure situations over the past five years, second only to the 76.4 percent recorded in 2020.

So, what’s happening? Why are kickers losing their nerve in crunch time? Some point to good rush units, some say it’s weather and field conditions. And one GM noted: “Sometimes they just miss … happens to the best. It’s a hard job.”

GO DEEPER

What Drake Maye is doing to elevate the Patriots offense, exceed expectations

Who would The Hoodie fit best?

Finally, as the coaching cycle is brewing and Bill Belichick is motivated to get back into the NFL, I asked 10 coaches and execs from across the league: What’s the best landing spot for the future Hall of Fame coach?

One common answer was the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a recent episode of the “Scoop City” podcast, my co-host Chase Daniel and I discussed the possibility of Belichick taking over Jacksonville in 2025, should Doug Pederson get fired. While Belichick has maintained a strong relationship with Jaguars ownership, it’s anticipated he would seek changes in the front office, particularly regarding current general manager Trent Baalke.

The other two teams that came up frequently: The Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (should those jobs open up).

(Top photo: Mike Stobe / Getty Images)