There's a belief in some of the more cynical corners of the football world that the reason the New York Jets haven't fired Adam Gase yet is that keeping Gase around increases the club's chance of the securing the No. 1 pick in next spring's draft. That if the club is indeed Tanking for Trevor or Failing for Fields, Gase is an asset in that pursuit.
Think about that for a moment.
On Tuesday, Jets GM Joe Douglas spoke to the media and threw cold water on that idea... if you take him at his word.
If you believe Gase is a secret agent in the Jets' chase for 0-16, it's exactly what you'd expect Douglas to say.
Douglas is correct in that selecting a QB at No. 1 would mean foreclosing on their investment in Sam Darnold, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft. As a counterpoint, though, gaining the No. 1 pick and keeping Darnold are not mutually exclusive; the club could always take a non-quarterback at No. 1 or sell the pick to a quarterback-hungry partner.
Gase is in Year 3 of a 4-year contract. The team is still paying former GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles through the end of the year.
After a 7-9 debut last season, Gase is 7-17 in New York and 30-42 in four and a half seasons as a head coach.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.