ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — There has been various speculation on whether the Jets should retool in 2025 or completely blow it up and start over.
Sunday’s game should put all those questions to bed after the Jets humiliating 40-14 loss to their division-rival Bills in a game that was over after the first drive.
The Jets (4-12) have obviously lost many games this season, but none of them were as noncompetitive as their second game against the Bills.
Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said he didn’t think the team’s effort was questionable, but the team’s display at Highmark Stadium was pathetic. The Jets were embarrassed by the Bills, who have won the AFC East five years running.
After last week’s loss to the Rams, Aaron Rodgers suggested that some players have checked out of the 2024 season with two games remaining. It certainly looked like that against Buffalo.
In my 13 years covering the NFL, the Jets are the most undisciplined team I have ever seen. They registered 16 penalties for 120 yards, five of which were unnecessary roughness flags.
One of the biggest bonehead penalties of the afternoon was Micheal Clemons‘ infraction during the third quarter. With Buffalo leading 19-0, Clemons jumped on top of a pile of Jets and Bills players with running back James Cook in the middle of the scrum. He was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty, eventually leading to a Cook one-yard touchdown.
During his three seasons with the Jets, Clemons, on more than one occasion, has made countless mistakes and penalties in addition to that.
Penalties have been a problem for the Jets since the 2023 season. They led the league in penalties last season and, with one game remaining, are once again tops in that category (131).
“That starts and ends with me,” Ulbrich said about the penalties. “I gotta do a better job of making sure that obviously it doesn’t happen, but a stronger understanding of why that can’t happen. You can’t overcome that against teams especially a team like Buffalo that’s rolling right now playing elite football.”
The Jets talked a good game during training camp. They believed that with Rodgers’ return and the roster they put together, they could compete in the AFC East and contend for a Super Bowl.
However, they haven’t played as a team all season, and that could stem from a lack of leadership. Robert Saleh was not a great coach by any means and he led the Jets to a 20-36 record in three-plus years before he was fired on Oct. 8.
After Saleh’s firing, Jets owner Woody Johnson said this was “one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets.” Since then, the Jets have a 2-9 record under Ulbrich.
Many have pointed the finger at Rodgers, and he deserves some blame for this. His play has been uneven all season, which likely went into Johnson, according to a source, suggesting that Rodgers be benched after the Jets’ Week 4 loss against the Broncos, according to a source.
Against the Bills, Rodgers finished 12-of-18 for 112 yards and two interceptions. Following the 26-point defeat, he was asked about his future once again.
“I’m going to enjoy next week and then take some mental and physical rest,” Rodgers said.
Clearly, this has not worked. Rodgers, 41, has not indicated whether he wants to play next year, but it’s time for a clean slate with the Jets, including the four-time NFL MVP.
At his age, you do not get better, you get worse as a player. With a new coach and a new general manager coming after Joe Douglas was fired on Nov. 19, they will want to build the program in their own unique way.
That will also include making decisions about other veteran players and their young foundation of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall. Some of the veterans the Jets brought in, like Davante Adams and Haason Reddick, haven’t led to wins.
Reddick, in particular, has 11 tackles in nine games since he ended his holdout.
“They had a similar roster,” Gardner said about the Bills last season compared to 2024. “We quote on quote, enhanced our roster in all areas. We can’t be playing as a team. We are playing as individuals.
“I know last year and the year before, we had a roster that wasn’t as talented as this roster, but we found ways to beat the Bills. So what’s stopping that now?”
Gang Green is projected to have $33 million in salary cap space. They will also have nearly $24 million in void contracts.
It seems like the time is now for the Jets to start over and try to get this right for the millionth time. The Bills continue to be kings of the AFC East, the Patriots are currently rebuilding and will have $131 million of the salary cap to spend, and the Dolphins — well, they have an injury-prone quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa and a general manager in Chris Grier who still isn’t worried about his offensive line.
I know rebuilding is a dirty word that some Jets fans don’t want to hear. But they should be on board with it unless they wish to remain on the island of irrelevance.
