Aaron Rodgers felt downcast while stuck in traffic late Monday night after experiencing yet another disappointing loss with the New York Jets.
“I had a couple of messages,” he shared during his weekly segment on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “I wasn’t really in the mood to chat with anyone.”
That was until he received a message from Davante Adams.
The news from his close friend and former teammate with the Green Bay Packers brightened his mood: they would be joining forces once more.
On Tuesday, the Jets secured Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders, sending a conditional third-round pick in next year’s draft, which could escalate to a second-rounder.
“It’s bittersweet because of the outcome last night,” he said, regarding the Jets’ 23-20 defeat against Buffalo. “However, it’s thrilling. Tae and I have accomplished significant things together over the years. He has often made me look good. So, I’m genuinely excited about this; it’s a good development for our team.”
“We definitely improved today.”
The pressing question, however, is how much of a difference Adams will make for a team currently sitting at 2-4, having lost three consecutive games. They recently dismissed head coach Robert Saleh and replaced him with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, while offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been relegated from his play-calling duties in favor of Todd Downing.
Adams undoubtedly gives Rodgers a reliable player he trusts immensely. Over eight seasons, Adams has 615 receptions from Rodgers for 7,517 yards and 68 touchdowns—making these the highest totals for any combination of active players.
“He’s not just an elite player, as we all know,” Ulbrich commented. “But the bond he shares with Aaron elevates his value to a different level for us. So, I’m really thrilled about this addition.”
After missing three games due to a hamstring injury, Adams now joins a wide receiver group that has become unexpectedly full. He will team up with top receiver Garrett Wilson, along with Allen Lazard, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, and rookie Malachi Corley.
“We’ll figure out how all these pieces fit together in the next few days,” Ulbrich noted. “It’s an exciting challenge, as we have various players with unique skill sets. Todd and his staff are going to have some challenging decisions to make.”
Despite the excitement surrounding Adams’ addition, the team still faces critical challenges.
Ulbrich’s defense struggles to contain the running game, as seen when rookie Ray Davis bulldozed through the Jets’ defense for 97 out of the Bills’ total of 149 rushing yards. Additionally, the Jets committed 11 penalties—some of which Rodgers deemed “ridiculous.” They also went just 1 for 4 in the red zone, and the offensive line continues to falter in protecting their 40-year-old quarterback, who endured three sacks and five hits during the game.
“We need to put together four complete quarters,” Ulbrich said. “Once we achieve that, we’re going to pose a significant threat.”
What’s showing improvement? Joe Douglas’ phone is certainly active. The general manager has spent the past few days finalizing the trade for Adams, while also negotiating with the new agents for holdout Haason Reddick, who is looking for a trade from New York. Owner Woody Johnson confirmed during league meetings in Atlanta that the Jets have granted him permission to consider this option. While it doesn’t guarantee Reddick will be leaving, the Jets are at least contemplating a change.
What areas still require improvement? Multiple issues remain, as previously mentioned. However, the Jets’ inability to score touchdowns on four attempts inside the Bills’ 20 was crucial. Plus, Greg Zuerlein had a poor outing, missing two field goals in windy conditions, making it three misses in his last three games.
“He’s going through a rough patch,” Ulbrich acknowledged. “But he will overcome it, as he has throughout his impressive 13-year career. We have complete faith in him as an organization.”
Rising up: RB Breece Hall. The third-year running back appeared revitalized in Downing’s offense, which is expected to emphasize the run game. Hall entered with an average of just 3 yards per carry, but he surpassed expectations, rushing for a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries—a solid average of 6.3 yards—and caught five passes for 56 yards.
On the downside: WR Mike Williams. His role in the offense may be overshadowed by Adams’ arrival. Additionally, his chemistry with Rodgers has been inconsistent. In the last two games, Rodgers has thrown interceptions while targeting Williams, concluding both games with losses. During Monday’s game, he underthrew Williams—a mistake Rodgers admitted—resulting in a diving interception by Taron Johnson. Williams was assessed for a possible head injury, but Ulbrich confirmed he passed the concussion protocol.
Injury updates: S Chuck Clark has been placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury, while CB D.J. Reed (groin) will undergo evaluations throughout the week, and CB Michael Carter II was unable to play due to a back injury.
A notable statistic: 113—this is the total number of points the Jets have accumulated through six games with Rodgers as quarterback, matching the amount they scored during a 3-3 start last season with Zach Wilson under center.
What’s coming next? The Jets look ahead to a Sunday night match in Pittsburgh, where Adams may make his debut for New York.