Following back-to-back victories led by Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets‘ season appeared to be headed in the right direction. The winning performances came against the hapless Tennessee Titans (0-4) and the struggling New England Patriots (1-3), two of the worst clubs in the NFL.
Rodgers completed two touchdown passes without being intercepted in either of the two games. But just as it did in their 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Jets’ offense stagnated once more, echoing their slow start against San Francisco. Since Robert Saleh became head coach in 2021, the defense has continued to be the team’s strongest suit.
With a 20-35 record, Saleh hasn’t led the Jets to the postseason yet. The Jets actually own the longest active playoff drought in both North American team sports and the NFL, having missed the postseason since 2010.
Aaron Rodgers going full “darkness retreat” mode on the New York Jets sideline after loosing at home to Bo Nix today 🤣 pic.twitter.com/z1eSjVJNMs
— Scott Simpson (@NimblewNumbers) September 30, 2024
Aaron Rodgers Is Angry Not Just About the Loss But Also About the Coaching
The Broncos defense put Rodgers under continual pressure, and he was sacked five times—a unusual occurrence for the seasoned quarterback. When Rodgers was still with the Packers, on October 16, 2022, he was sacked four or more times against the Jets. Both Saleh and Rodgers were questioned about the offense’s dismal performance—which yielded only 248 total yards—during the post-game press conference.
Rodgers didn’t hold back when a reporter questioned him about reducing the offensive play, as suggested by Saleh. He gave a scathing reaction that appeared to be aimed at both the head coach and right tackle Morgan Moses.
“It’s one way to do it, the other way is hold them accountable”
Despite being the oldest player still playing in the NFL at twenty years old, Aaron Rodgers is aware that these early-season problems are still resolvable. But it’s evident that the offense lacks coherence, and the coaching staff hasn’t yet figured out how to properly use Garrett Wilson, the current Rookie of the Year. Breece Hall, the running back, had a poor game as well, gaining only 4 yards on 10 carries. The Jets don’t have much time to make changes before facing the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.
Additionally, kicker Greg Zurlein had to perform far better for his team in such win-or-lose scenarios because it was up to him to deliver the victory in the closing seconds of the contest. The Jets’ defense has been stellar, except for their opening game in which they allowed 30 points. They have surrendered just 29 points in three games since.
Even though those games were against less experienced quarterbacks like rookie Bo Nix, second-year player Will Levis, and veteran Jacoby Brissett, the defense did a great job; as Aaron Rodgers once remarked, “when your defense holds to 10, you have to win the game 100% of the time.”
