The New York Jets lost yet again in embarrassing fashion in Week 15. This time it was at the hands of the Miami Dolphins, who defeated their AFC East rivals 30-0. After such a promising performance against the Houston Texans in Week 14, it was certainly disappointing to see the team play as poorly as they did against the Dolphins.
Zach Wilson, coming off the best game of his NFL career in Week 14, looked more like the player we have seen prior to the Houston game. He was battered behind an offensive line that couldn’t block, as he completed 4-of-11 passes for 26 yards, losing one fumble.
He left the game in the first half with what the team called dehydration originally. But, when he was ruled out after halftime, it was because of a head injury as Wilson was suffering from concussion-like symptoms.
NFL News & Rumors: Robert Saleh & New York Jets Updates
Trevor Siemian was called on in relief and he was just as bad. He completed 14-of-26 passes for 110 yards and two interceptions, losing a fumble as well. The offensive line’s inability to block certainly hurts the offense, as Wilson and Siemian really had no chance on Sunday afternoon.
The injuries to the offensive line and to Aaron Rodgers have seemingly given the Jets and their decision-makers a pass for the 2023 season. However, that shouldn’t be the case in the opinion of Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, who covers the Jets.
Rosenblatt called out head coach Robert Saleh and believes it is time to start focusing attention on his shortcomings. After the game, scheme and effort were two things players on the team brought up that the Jets were lacking; that falls on the coaching staff.
As Rosenblatt noted on X, formerly Twitter, the Jets are far from the only team that has offensive line and quarterback injuries. He mentioned the Cleveland Browns as a prime example, as they are similar to the Jets in many regards.
Cleveland, like New York, has a dominant defense that has been let down by an underwhelming offense at times. The Browns have started four different quarterbacks, don’t have their star running back Nick Chubb, and both starting tackles and a top backup along the offensive line were hurt.
NFL News & Rumors: Robert Saleh & New York Jets Updates
Yet, they’re 9-5 and in the hunt for a division title and Wild Card spot. The Jets are now 5-9 and going nowhere in the 2023 season. At some point, as Rosenblatt pointed out, Saleh has to be called out for his inability to adapt to the situation instead of leaning into it as a reason and excuse for things going the way they are.
Just look at the Jets’ MetLife co-tenets, the New York Giants. They went on a three-game winning streak with an undrafted rookie free agent in Tommy DeVito at quarterback and they don’t have anywhere near the defensive talent to rely on as Gang Green to win games.
But, they have Brian Daboll as their head coach, who has proven he can build a winner despite having a talent deficiency compared to opponents. That is something Saleh hasn’t shown in his time with the Jets, which should be more of a detriment to his job standing than it seems to be.
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