Mental mistakes and Rodgers' cadence become hot topics for Jets' offense after awful performance
New York Jets fans had a bad case of déja vu watching the offense struggle mightily.
And it wasn't even Zach Wilson's fault. He was on the other sideline.
One game after Aaron Rodgers was in total control of an offense that moved up and down the field at will against New England, the star quarterback was banged up and frustrated against the Denver Broncos in an ugly 10-9 loss Sunday.
“That’s a really good defense, but when your defense holds them to 10, you’ve got to win that game 100% of the time,” Rodgers said after the loss. “That’s on the offense. That’s on me. Not good enough.”
The Jets (2-2) had scored three offensive touchdowns in each of their first three games. Against Denver, they couldn't find the end zone. It was similar to the issues offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett faced last season with Wilson — the Jets' onetime face of the franchise — at quarterback.
Rodgers was 24 of 42 for 225 yards and was sacked five times and hit 14 times. He limped off the field late in the game after a sack that brought back some bad memories of the four-time MVP tearing his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his Jets debut last year.
Rodgers said he was “banged up” and both legs were dealing with “stuff,” but he insisted he was OK. On Monday, coach Robert Saleh said he didn't anticipate Rodgers appearing on the team's injury report.
“It's just the standard wear and tear,” Saleh said, “getting beat up a little bit yesterday.”
But whether the 40-year-old quarterback will be able to withstand too many more of those types of games should concern the Jets — and make it a priority to get the offense humming again in a hurry.
“To be honest, it would make you sick if he were a 20-year-old quarterback,” Saleh said. “You want your quarterback feeling comfy back there and he definitely wasn't comfortable.”
Saleh credited the Broncos, whom he called “a legit top-five, top-three defense — legit top defense.”
But the loss also was a product of mental mistakes, something Saleh and his coaching staff spoke about fixing. The Jets were called for 15 penalties, 13 of which were accepted. Five were false starts by the offense, including one on left guard John Simpson on fourth-and-goal from the Broncos 1-yard line early in the second quarter. New York had to settle for a field goal instead of a potential touchdown.
The pre-snap penalties also brought into question whether Rodgers' cadence — something the quarterback has used to his advantage his entire career to confuse defenses — is an issue for his own offense.
After the game, Saleh said the Jets need to figure out "whether or not we’re good enough or ready to handle all the cadence.” He added that it hadn't been an issue during camp and the offense's operation had been smooth.
Rodgers called the five pre-snap penalties “an outlier” and suggested that while adjusting his cadence is “one way to do it,” he added: “The other way is to hold them accountable.”
Saleh clarified Monday that the Jets will “always push the envelope with cadence” and he meant the overall operation is “something that I think we can definitely get fixed.”
So, Rodgers' cadence will stay as is. The rest of the offense — and the coaching staff — needs to adjust. And quickly.
What’s working
Pass defense. The Jets stymied rookie Bo Nix for much of the game, allowing him to throw for minus-7 in the first half and just 60 overall. Nix threw his first NFL touchdown pass in the third quarter, but the secondary had a mostly solid day when little else went right for New York.
What needs help
Saleh and his coaching staff. When a team appears undisciplined and makes the number of mental mistakes the Jets did against the Broncos, the blame falls first on the head coach. This is a big season for Saleh, who needs to prove he can lead the franchise — with or without Rodgers as his quarterback. His team's performance Sunday was a major step back.
“We take responsibility for everything that happens on the football field,” Saleh said. “Because it’s the seat we live in.”
Stock up
WR Mike Williams. He is seeing a increase in his workload after being eased in following last season's knee injury. Williams had a season-high four catches for a team-high 67 yards against Denver and appears to be developing a rapport with Rodgers, especially with opponents zeroing in on stopping Garrett Wilson.
Stock down
WR Malachi Corley. The third-round pick has been a nonfactor on offense with just two snaps this season. He didn't even get on the field Sunday despite being active.
“There’s a group of receivers ahead of him, obviously, that are operating a little bit better than he is right now,” Saleh said.
Injuries
Saleh said DT Leki Fotu (hamstring) has a chance of being activated from injured reserve this week. ... LB C.J. Mosley has missed two straight games with a toe injury.
Key number
96 — That's how many yards Rodgers needs to throw for to become the ninth player in NFL history with 60,000 in the regular season.
What’s next
Things don't get any easier for the Jets, who travel to London to face Sam Darnold — another former face of the franchise — and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.
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