TEMPE, Ariz. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:

1. Strong will: These are tough times for general manager Joe Douglas, who may be in his final months on the job, but he can take some satisfaction in knowing his most controversial first-round pick — defensive end. Will McDonald IV — it works well.

Remember the outcry last year when the Jets ignored pressing needs (including offensive tackle) to take McDonald with the 15th pick?

McDonald didn’t do much last season to appease the critics, but look at him now: He’s among the NFL’s most productive passers, ranking third in sacks (eight), fifth in pass pressures quarterback (41) and third in pressure rate. (20.2%), according to Next Gen statistics.

The post-draft narrative was that the Jets reached for McDonald after being burned by then-New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who traded the 14th pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers so the Steelers could select a tackle . Broderick Jones — the player Belichick (and everyone else) thought was the Jets’ target.

In reality, Douglas always preferred McDonald’s to Jones, according to a person familiar with the matter.

At the start of the draft, the Jets considered returning Jahmyr Gibbs (taken 12th by the Detroit Lions), McDonald and Jones, among others. They were loaded on the defensive line, but they threw McDonald and Jermaine Johnson like their bookend starters in 2024.

Granted, McDonald needed some breaks to make the starting lineup. It took a free agent defection (Bryce Huff), a business (John Franklin Myers) and long resistance (Haason Reddick), but McDonald takes advantage of his opportunity. He became the No. 1 edge rusher when Johnson was lost to a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2.

“The truth is coming out,” defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton said. “This guy was made to play in this front.”

During the offseason, coaches noticed an increased focus on McDonald’s part, who hired a chef and worked with different personal trainers to add weight to his narrow frame. Drafted at 236 pounds, the 6-foot-4 McDonald now sits in the 240s, terrorizing quarterbacks.

At least Douglas can smile about it.

2. London is calling (again)? Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election raises questions about the status of owner/president Woody Johnson, who served as ambassador to the United Kingdom during Trump’s previous term (2017-2021). Johnson loved the experience and there is a feeling within the organization that he would like to do it again. This means he would have to live in the UK, with Christopher Johnson once again assuming day-to-day control of the Jets.

Timing is key for the Jets. If nominated, Johnson would likely not be confirmed by the U.S. Senate until several months after his inauguration, which was the case last time. In the same timeframe, Johnson would be free to directly participate in the Jets’ big offseason decisions — a coaching search and a possible general manager search. After that, he can pass the baton to his younger brother, who currently holds the title of vice president.

It should be noted that Christopher and the quarterback Aaron Rodgers have a close relationship. They met in March 2023, when a Jets contingent made that famous recruiting visit to Rodgers’ home in Malibu, California. Christopher was the first to arrive that day, and they hit it off.

Rodgers’ future will be a storyline this offseason. Whether the Woody/Christopher situation has any bearing on this remains to be seen.

3. Catch a shooting star: Add Mike Williams to the list of free agent receivers who have failed to pan out for the organization. The Jets ended up paying him $6.7 million for nine games and 12 receptions, which works out to $558,333 per reception. They traded him to the Steelers for a fifth-round pick, mitigating some of the damage, but that’s an awful lot of money for a fifth-round pick.

Other receivers who have disappointed in recent years: Hardman School, Corey Davis And Breshad Perriman.

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Rodgers reacts in real time to the Mike Williams trade while at McAfee

Aaron Rodgers joins Pat McAfee and reacts to the Jets’ trade of WR Mike Williams to the Steelers.

4. Who knew? Garrett Wilson And Davante Adams first met during the 2023 offseason. Introduced by mutual friends, they had dinner in Manhattan and chatted about prom and life. The idea of ​​playing together one day was brought up, but they never imagined it would happen.

Wilson, 24, who called Adams “one of my favorite players growing up,” jumped at the chance to be in town. Most of all, he wanted to pick Adams’ brain over Rodgers, who had just been traded to the Jets. Wilson was joined by a former Ohio State teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

“He was able to impart a lot of knowledge to me,” Wilson said of Adams, who turns 32 next month.

Adams said, “Sometimes the guy who is the icon ends up being a fan of the young guy.”

5. Smooth out wrinkles: Adams and Rodgers had a great relationship during their eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers. They are still working to reach that same level.

Since being traded to the Jets, Adams is one of 15 players over the past three weeks with at least 25 targets, but his 54% reception rate (14-26) is the lowest of that group , according to ESPN Research.

6. Did you know? The offense has produced 21 touchdowns in nine games, already three more than last season. It’s not that this year’s offense is that good (21 is the league average). This rather illustrates how bad last season was. But hey, an improvement is an improvement.

7. Just for fun: The Jets will feature their third different kicker on Sunday, as Spencer Shrader – elevated to the practice squad – expected to face the Arizona Cardinals. It replaces Riley Pattersonwhich replaced the subsidence Greg Zuerlein who was placed on injured reserve last week.

What is it with the Jets and kickers? Shrader will become the 10th different kicker in the Douglas era (2019). Taking a trip into the past, his predecessors (in chronological order): Sam Ficken, Kaare Vedvik, Sergio Castillo, Chase McLaughlin, Matt Ammendola, Eddie Pineiro, Alex KessmanZuerlein and Patterson.

Here’s the real kicker, Austin Seibertwho was on the preseason roster, leads the league in field goal percentage (93%) as a member of the Washington Commanders.

8. Olu to the rescue: Coaches and teammates were blown away by this rookie Olu Fashanu was able to come off the bench last week to play right-back – a position he has never played in his life. We’re not talking about practice reps. He was pushed into action because the first three right guards on the depth chart were injured.

Fashanu credited his teammates, saying they coached him throughout the match. The Jets’ future left tackle said he received a postgame note from his former line coach at Penn State, who texted him: “Right guard?”

Starter Alijah Vera Tucker is expected to return to the lineup after missing two games with a severe ankle sprain. Fashanu was practicing guard during the week – just in case.

9. Woe to Joe: Douglas struck a somber tone during his midseason press briefing Wednesday, acknowledging the frustration of a 3-6 start and 30-62 record over five-plus seasons on the job. The big blow came last month when their head coach (Robert Saleh) was fired without his contribution.

He declined to say whether he agreed with Johnson’s decision, preferring to paraphrase a former US secretary of state.

“I think Colin Powell said it in another area: I serve at the pleasure of the owner,” Douglas said, trying to be a team player even though he must question how everything took place.

Douglas does not have a contract for the 2025 season, so his future is very uncertain. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said, still hoping they can make the playoffs.

10. The last word: “Back when I played for (Bill) Parcells, Parcells always said, ‘Successful people leave clues.’ Davante leaves them every day.” – Wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson explains how Adams can impact Wilson and other young receivers.