The Jets are not a quarterback away from the Super Bowl
Look away, Jets fans. Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan are not going to be the savior of this downtrodden franchise.
Following a 15-10 loss at home to the lowly 0-2 New England Patriots, the Jets find themselves once again scrambling to find a viable starting quarterback in relief of Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1. Whether head coach Robert Saleh wants to admit it or not, Zach Wilson is clearly not the answer.
In a must-win game that would likely define the rest of New York's season, Wilson completed 18-of-36 passes for 157 yards and zero touchdowns. The 24-year-old appeared skittish and afraid to make any mistakes, rarely taking shots downfield or attempting to create big plays.
Sunday's loss undoubtedly falls on Wilson's shoulders, as has been the case for much of his NFL career. With another poor performance under his belt, Gang Green faithful have begun to clamor for a quarterback change.
Throughout the offseason, New York fans preached the same old mantra: the Jets were a competent QB away from greatness. Though they appeared to find said quarterback in Rodgers, his tenure with the Jets lasted all of four snaps. As New York continues to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of Rodgers' season-ending injury, it appears they have more questions than answers across the board.
The Jets defense, which likened itself to some of the best in NFL history, has not lived up to the lofty expectations the players placed upon themselves. After an impressive performance against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, New York crashed back to earth in its subsequent two games against the Cowboys and Patriots. The Jets allowed 17-of-37 (46%) conversions on third down, failed to force a turnover and collected just one sack in these contests.
New York has struggled even more on offense. The Jets have yet to eclipse 300 or throw for more than 200 yards in a game and have scored only three offensive touchdowns. OC Nathaniel Hackett's bland play-calling has additionally come under fire, with the Jets trailing the 2022 Broncos — who fired Hackett after a 4-11 start — in nearly every offensive metric.
Along with Rodgers, New York brought in a plethora of free agents this offseason, many of whom were teammates of the four-time MVP on the Green Bay Packers. Based on the early results, the return from these acquisitions has been quite underwhelming.
Wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb have combined for just eight catches for 120 yards this season, with the latter dropping a potential game-winning Hail Mary in the final seconds of Sunday's game. Speedster Mecole Hardman Jr., who the Jets signed in free agency, has played just 16 snaps. Dalvin Cook, the star running back expected to complement Breece Hall in the backfield, boasts the third-lowest rushing yards over expected (-44) in the NFL.
It's evident the Jets must make a change at quarterback, with several free agents being tossed into the mix as possible replacements. If New York's team struggles persist, however, it'll be hard for one of these veterans — or even Rodgers next season — to carry them to the promised land.
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