Jets Rumors: GM Joe Douglas Has 'No Financial Restriction' for 2021 Offseason

There will reportedly be nothing in the way for New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas if he wants to spend this offseason. 

According to Connor Hughes of The Athletic, "there is absolutely no financial restriction" on the general manager as he looks to rebuild the Jets into a contender in the AFC East. Hughes noted sources around the league think New York will "make waves" as it goes after top-notch free agents.

While that may seem like Douglas will just open the checkbook, Hughes pointed out the general manager "will not get sucked into playing ball with teams throwing around silly money for sake of throwing around money."

Hughes also cited a source who said, "Joe doesn't do desperate."

This is a key offseason for Douglas, who was hired prior to the 2019 campaign. The Jets went 7-9 in his first season as the GM and an ugly 2-14 during the 2020 season as one of the worst teams in the league.

As a result, the team has the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL draft and could address a number of positions, including quarterback.

Whether that means drafting Justin Fields or Zach Wilson—or perhaps making a trade or signing a free agent—remains to be seen, but Sam Darnold has yet to live up to expectations since the Jets picked him with the No. 3 pick of the 2018 draft.

New York hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, but it is a new era with head coach Robert Saleh on the sideline and Douglas having more freedom to spend money to address needs. How he does so could determine the Jets' fate in an AFC East that isn't exactly loaded with top-notch contenders at this stage.