FLORHAM PARK, NJ – It’s the kind of comment coaches make when they know the end is near.
New York Jets coach Adam Gase, heading for a possible 0-16 season, acknowledged on Wednesday that he has abandoned his boss, CEO Christopher Johnson.
“He knows how I do [feel]”Gase told reporters.” I’ve told him several times. He deserves better, especially with how he is with our players, our staff, coaches … everyone involved in this organization. I mean, I couldn’t ask to work for a better man. “
Johnson has not spoken in public since mid-September when the Jets were 0-1, but he is expected to fire Gase once the season is over. Gase’s record is 7-22, including a franchise record of 13 games.
In a reflective mood, Gase didn’t hesitate when asked if he left Johnson.
“Yes,” he said. ‘You try to find out where things went wrong and what we can change. It’s like trying to evaluate and adjust things along the way …
“But at the end of the day it’s about winning. We didn’t. To make him feel no playoffs in December, be competitive, I find it disappointing that we haven’t been able to do that for him.”
The Jets have had only one winning season since 2010, which is the last time they made the playoffs.
Gase and Johnson have a close relationship and talk in person after each game. Gase said Johnson is never angry, but “he’s just like us. He wants to win as much as we do.”
The Jets don’t just lose, they lose badly. Their difference in points is minus-210, just four points less than the worst margin in team history (1976).
They score 14.1 points per game and allow 30.2, meaning they are on track to be the first team in the 16-game timetable (since 1978) to score less than 15 per game and more than 30 per match permits a single season.
Things won’t get better on Sunday as the Jets will be on their way to take on the Los Angeles Rams, who have the NFL’s best defense.
Sam Darnold’s regression has been one of the most important storylines. Two weeks ago, Gase took the blame for the quarterback’s lack of development.
“I came here to help him, to help him develop his career, and we failed,” said Gase.