Sunday’s game may be last for Jets’ Gase

The slowmotion firing of Adam Gase continues. The Jets are “expected to part ways” with Gase after Sunday’s game against the Patriots, according to an NFL Network report.

In other words: He’s getting fired.

The process has dragged on in a fashion befitting Gase’s plodding offenses. There were several reports that Gase was going to be fired if the Jets lost to the Browns last Sunday, but Gase saved his job by winning a game that locked his employer into the No. 2 pick in next year’s draft.

This past week, there was a radio report that acting Jets owner Christopher Johnson had told Gase he was going to be fired.

Gase has gone 922 (. 290) in his two seasons with the Jets, only saving himself with two improbably hot Decembers.

The Jets stuck with Gase through 17 and 013 starts the past two years. Both of Gase’s Jets teams were last in the NFL in yards; the 2019 Jets outscored Washington by 10 points to grab the crown of 31st place.

And yet, the football coaching fraternity protects its own. Patriots coach Bill Belichick comically gassed up Gase all week ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

“As usual, his excellent gameplanning and playcalling are problems for the defense,” Belichick said with a presumably straight face. “This is a team that’s gotten better. … They have a good system. He’s a good play caller. He puts a lot of pressure on defenses in the way he sets things up and uses personnel.”

And then it wasn’t so funny. A Boston Globe reporter said Monday that “the name to watch for the Patriots’ next quarterbacks coach” was Gase.

Browns, Steelers hurt: The Browns have sprung another hole in their patchwork secondary.

Already down several key players due to positive coronavirus tests, the Browns said Saturday night they will also be without cornerback Kevin Johnson on Sunday against Pittsburgh as they try to end their long playoff drought.

Johnson’s addition to the reserve/ COVID19 list means the Browns ( 105), who barely got to practice this week due to contact tracing, will be missing five rotational defenders when they host the Steelers ( 123).

Earlier this week, the team ruled out top cornerback Denzel Ward, linebackers B. J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith and safety Andrew Sendejo.

On the other sideline, the Steelers placed cornerback Joe Haden, tight end Eric Ebron and reserve linebacker Cassius Marsh on the reserve/ COVID19 list, putting the players’ status for the playoffs in jeopardy.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, outside linebacker T. J. Watt, defensive end Cam Heyward and center Maurkice Pouncey will not make the trip to give them rest ahead of the postseason. Kicker Chris Boswell and safety Terrell Edmunds are also out.

Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback in place of Roethlisberger with J. C. Hassenauer likely filling in for Pouncey at center.

The Steelers promoted offensive tackle Anthony Coyle and wide receiver Deon Cain to the active roster and elevated tight end Kevin Rader and Wright from the practice squad as COVID19 replacements.

Briefly: Sunday night’s game against Washington will end Jim Schwartz’s fiveyear era in charge of the Eagles’ defense, a league source said Saturday, confirming an NFL Network report. ... The Jets waived kicker Sam Ficken and activated right guard Greg Van Roten from injured reserve in a series of roster moves ahead of the season finale at New England. ... Tony Romo will not be in the CBS broadcast booth on the final day of the regular season after being sidelined by due to “COVID19 protocols,” the network said. ... The Titans activated threetime Pro Bowl punter Brett Kern from the reserve/ COVID19 list after he was placed on that list Tuesday. Fourtime Pro Bowl kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been on the list since Monday. ... The Lions activated defensive tackle Danny Shelton from injured reserve and released defensive lineman Frank Herron.