Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets find themselves at a crossroads this season, with playoff hopes mostly fading away and significant changes on the horizon. Once a team with aspirations of contending for the Super Bowl just four months ago, they now stand as a struggling group, entering their bye week in search of solutions.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich expressed the team’s determination to learn from their recent performances. Following a narrow 28-27 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts that dropped their record to 3-8, he stated, “Today, we’re going to focus on this game, put it behind us, and learn from it to the best of our ability.” He emphasized the necessity of deep self-evaluation among the coaching staff and players alike.
Ulbrich, who took over for Robert Saleh on October 8, has struggled, managing just one victory in six games. He continues to lead the defense as its coordinator, but many observers believe the Jets’ defensive capabilities have diminished during his tenure. Cornerback D.J. Reed observed this decline and pointed to a lack of execution on the field, urging for a collective understanding among players about their roles.
Despite the struggles, Ulbrich was hesitant to shift responsibilities just yet, saying, “Not as of today. But we will certainly evaluate everything over the next few days.”
As for what is working, the Jets’ punter Thomas Morstead stands out as a reliable player, along with kicker Anders Carlson, who had a respectable debut. However, on a team that has significant talents on both offense and defense, it is not ideal that specialists are the only bright spots.
Conversely, the team suffers from glaring issues, particularly their slow starts in games. In the loss to the Colts, they did not secure a first down until their sixth possession. Right tackle Morgan Moses expressed frustration about their performance, noting, “When you come out there and flat-line like that, there’s not much you can say about it.” He stressed the need for a quicker start and a proactive approach rather than being reactionary.
Rodgers, who was anticipated to be a transformative player, has not lived up to expectations. Although he’s not typically a high-volume passer, he has struggled to make explosive plays, completing just six passes over 10 yards during his last two games. Ulbrich acknowledged the various factors affecting offensive performance, stressing the need for improvement in moving the ball downfield.
One player showing promise this week is Carlson, the fourth kicker the Jets have used this season. Elevated from the practice squad, he successfully converted both field goals, including a career-long 58-yarder. Following his performance, the Jets signed him to their active roster to prevent losing him again.
On the other hand, safety Tony Adams saw his status downgraded after being benched against the Colts. Despite being a starter for most of last season and the first half of this season, he did not see any defensive snaps against Indianapolis, raising questions about his future on the team.
Injury updates include linebacker C.J. Mosley, who reported having a herniated disc in his neck but hopes to return post-bye week. Additionally, left tackle Tyron Smith is undergoing evaluations for a neck injury.
A noteworthy statistic from the recent game: this loss marked the first time in Jets history that they lost a match scoring over 25 points, while accumulating fewer than 15 yards in penalties and having no turnovers, according to research findings.
Looking ahead, the Jets will take some time to reflect during their bye week before gearing up to face the Seattle Seahawks at home on December 1. A period of self-examination and adjustment awaits as the team hopes to reclaim some semblance of success moving forward.