Why is it still the Same 'Ole Jets?

 Aaron Rodgers isn’t Superman anymore. On Sunday in London, it didn’t look like he was even league average anymore. Rogers threw three interceptions to the Minnesota Vikings defense, the first time he’s thrown three INTs since Week 9 of 2022, and the sixth time he’s thrown three picks in a game in his career. That isn’t very Man of Steel-esc.

I’m the type of person that usually tries to find some reason why the interception was not the quarterback’s fault, don’t blame me, I’m a Jets fan. I’ve been subjected to poor quarterback play and when I do try to place blame elsewhere—it’s because the ball bounced off the receivers’ hands or shoulder pad. That was not what happened with Aaron Rodgers in London. All three interceptions were the fault of the quarterback. There were at times when Rodgers looked every bit of his age both physically and as he was trying to perform against Minnesota.

With that, there are two silver linings for the Jets heading into Week 6. One is that Garrett Wilson seems to have found his connection with Aaron Rodgers, having a career day with 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. It could’ve been more as late in the 4th quarter, Wilson put on a tremendous double move against Vikings defense back Stephon Gilmore, but Rodgers overthrew Wilson by about five yards. The second, and more important silver lining, the Jets are still alive in the AFC East. With the Bills loss to Houston—the Jets and Buffalo are headed for the biggest game of their respective seasons so far. The Bills are 3-2 and the Jets are 2-3. Each team has one win in the division, so the winner of next Monday Night’s contest will be leading the division with a key head above the loser. The Jets season isn’t on the line against Buffalo, but it’s as close as you can get for a Week 6 matchup. It also seems like the season is hanging in the balance because of the expectations that were placed on this team heading into the season and what has been put on tape so far. Robert Saleh hasn’t coached a good game yet this year. There are moments when Saleh looks like the worst coach in the league. Aaron Rodgers has had brief moments of showing he’s still capable of doing the things he used to do, but those have been fleeting when they do occur. This Jets offense isn’t the fantasy juggernaut it was proclaimed to be by many “experts.” And yet again, New York’s defense must save the day in order for this team to have a chance to win every game.

Things were supposed to be different this year. That’s what was said by the organization, the media, and the fans alike. But through five weeks of action, it’s more of the same. At times it’s worse than last year because of who is under center for this team. In a quarterback league, Aaron Rodgers has been significantly less than advertised. In five games, Daniel Jones, Jayden Daniels, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold have all thrown for more yards than Aaron Rodgers. Caleb Williams has just two less passing yards than Rodgers. Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco, Kyler Murray, and Justin Fields all have better completion percentage than Aaron Rodgers does. Rodgers’ depth of target which measures on average how far a quarterback is throwing the football to his receivers is only a pedestrian 6.9. A mark which is worse than Daniel Jones, Bo Nix, Will Levis, and Trevor Lawrence. And if that doesn’t worry you enough, the Jets are averaging a shade over 18 points per game which is 25th in the league.

On the plane ride back to New Jersey from London, something needs to change, and fast. Because the way this Jets team is playing the promise of Aaron Rodgers delivering a playoff berth and perhaps more doesn’t seem like a reality. It seems like the same dark and depressing hole Jets fans have been subjected to sit in over the past decade and a half. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been Superman so far, but he will need to be in order for the “Same ‘Ole Jets” to change their miserable ways.

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