The Jets Completely Embarrassed Themselves with the Kelechi Osemele Situation
By Evan Wolff
The way the Jets treated Kelechi Osemele, it almost makes Dan Snyder appear like an angel with respect to Trent Williams. Almost.
It's baffling how a team can screw up an injury this bad, and then refuse to hold itself accountable for the consequences. To recap, this is where is all began:
Jets OL Kelechi Osemele has been told by two doctors that he needs shoulder surgery, per source.
— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) October 18, 2019
The source says the Jets have been attempting to delay surgery by sending blank and incorrect MRI images to doctors...even going as far as refusing to release workers comp forms.
"Blank and incorrect MRI images?" Refusing to release worker's compensation forms? What kind of team would put their player in danger like this? They also reportedly threatened consequences if Osemele refused to practice, even when his only wrongdoing was following the advice of independent doctors rather than the team he no longer trusted.
So, fast-forward to today. Osemele made the smart decision to carry on with undergoing surgery while the NFLPA was deciding whether to pursue legal action towards the Jets. To make matters worse, the injury was more damaging to Osemele's shoulder than first expected.
Per Kelechi Osemele’s agents: Osemele’s surgery went well yesterday, but damage to shoulder was more extensive than anticipated. His representatives and NFLPA are now considering specific action against the Jets’ team doctor for violations of State Medical Board Regulations.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 26, 2019
At this point, a competent organization would accept defeat, and admit responsibility for negligence towards a player. They would fire the team doctor in charge of these decisions. They would follow by placing Osemele on IR and helping him recover for his football future. It would also show future players that the organization cares somewhat about the health of its employees.
That's not what happened. They released him from the team instead.
We have released OL Kelechi Osemele and activated LB James Burgess from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/TGgnYUKkFx
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 26, 2019
These are the New York Jets of course, so none of that happened. They released him. Three hours after news that his shoulder was extremely damaged and they were wrong, the Jets sent him packing without so much of a goodbye. It is shameful behavior by an organization that is attempting to regain relevance in the NFL.
They are certainly relevant again, but for all the wrong reasons. The head coach is a mess, the front office is in shambles, and players are being forced to play injured (and punished for refusing to do so). There will be a long legal battle over this situation, and Osemele deserves every cent that is coming his way.