Are the Jets not firing Adam Gase to guarantee Trevor Lawrence?

Are the New York Jets keeping Adam Gase to ensure they win the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes?

If most NFL fans were told in advance that two different NFL head coaches would be fired by the fifth week of the 2020 NFL season, most would’ve assumed that New York Jets head coach Adam Gase would’ve been among the most likely candidates to get the axe. Even though a 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals means that Gase will have as many double-digit losses as wins in his career and the Jets slumped to 0-5, he is still employed in Florham Park.

The Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons have parted ways with Bill O’Brien and Dan Quinn, respectively, meaning that calls for Gase’s head have already picked up steam.

Are the Jets trying to get a shot at Trevor Lawrence?

Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence has spent his 2020 season confirming in everyone’s mind that he is the top prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft, completing 72 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

With Sam Darnold continuing to regress and now suffering from a shoulder injury, turning the page on the Darnold era is looking more likely with each passing game. And keeping Gase on the job each week helps the ‘Tank for Trevor’ movement, so it’ll sting to lose now, but it’ll be the best move in the long-term interest of the Jets.

So lose now with Gase to get Lawrence and then fire him so he doesn’t ruin Lawrence like he’s done with Darnold.

The Jets are 0-5 but they are joined by the crosstown Giants and the equally dysfunctional Falcons. The Jets might have a difficult schedule that could help them in the race for the first pick, but hanging on to a guy who decided to run on second and 26 with Frank Gore and gives up a 55-yard run on third and 31 could help them lose out as they try to add one of the best quarterback prospects we’ve seen in the last decade.

The Jets are going nowhere this season with or without Gase, so why not keep a guy that is ridiculously underqualified for the job he has in the hope of securing the top spot in the draft? The tank race is competitive this year, and the Jets need every advantage they can get.