Aaron Rodgers' would-be miraculous return from a torn Achilles can't come soon enough, as frustration is beginning to mount in New York.
After a woeful Monday night performance against the Los Angeles Chargers that saw New York's offense muster just 270 yards and six points, Jets players are no longer mincing words.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson labeled the unit's performance "inexcusable" while speaking to reporters after the loss, publicly apologizing to the Jets defense for the team's shortcomings offensively.
"I hate coming off the field, looking our defense in the eyes and knowing that we have to send them back out there after three-and-out," Wilson said. "Them boys are my dogs and they come out and ball. They put us in a great position. It's time for us to start returning the favor, man. It's time. We got to figure it out."
“Offensively, it’s inexcusable. Coming off the field looking our defense in the eyes, knowing we have to send them back out there after a 3 & out. They come out & ball, it’s time for us to start returning the favor.”- Garrett Wilson#Jets
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) November 7, 2023
pic.twitter.com/Uo3dMvTAGN
The New York Jets Garrett Wilson was the only bright spot in the team's offense:
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) November 7, 2023
- 13 Targets
- 7 Catches
- 80 Yards
Garrett Wilson: “If you’re not angry, something is wrong. It messes with your psyche.” pic.twitter.com/Y9HoZyKBDS
Gang Green's defense put forth yet another stellar performance in Week 9, holding Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to a mere 136 yards through the air. However, their Zach Wilson-led offense was once again stuck in neutral, failing to score a touchdown. New York has now found the end zone just once over their last two games and has averaged 13.0 PPG in their last three outings — third-fewest in the NFL over that span.
Wilson's tough sledding didn't exactly jump out in the box score. In fact, his 263 yards on the night marked a new season-high for the third-year signal-caller. However, he fumbled the football three times, losing two of them.
"Was it his best game? Obviously not," Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Wilson's performance. "Was it his worst game? No, I’m not going to say it was even close to his worst game. The entire offense, obviously, we all could have been better.”
The quickest way for the Jets offense to improve would be to get No. 8 back under center. Rodgers hinted at a return in the postgame, telling Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. to "give me a few weeks."
“Give me a few weeks.”
— ESPN (@espn) November 7, 2023
This convo between Aaron Rodgers and Derwin James pic.twitter.com/Zh4fasl9yr
Unfortunately for New York, a few weeks may not be soon enough. The loss to the Chargers dropped the Jets to .500 on the season and and on the outside looking in regarding the AFC playoff picture.
The clock is ticking on New York's postseason hopes.
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