NY Jets news: Troubling D.J. Reed quote, Jeff Ulbrich regrets, Aaron Rodgers history

The NY Jets defense has completely fallen apart since Woody Johnson's shortsighted decision to fire Robert Saleh. A defense that ranked top-six in defensive EPA through five games under Saleh has plummeted to the league-worst defense since Jeff Ulbrich took over.

The fans realize it, analysts realize it, and now players do too. Cornerback D.J. Reed was asked after the game about the Jets' defensive struggles since Saleh was fired, and he agreed with the assertion saying "I have noticed that."

Reed refused to point fingers at Ulbrich, instead insisting the players need to execute and play better. Still, it's hard not to notice the stark difference in the Jets' defense under Saleh and Ulbrich.

Saleh had his own issues as a head coach and firing him was justifiable, but the timing of the decision was questionable at best. The Jets have won just one game since Saleh was fired — a clear sign Johnson made a disastrous error in judgment.

Other NY Jets news:

Jeff Ulbrich regrets this controversial decision

The Jets had an opportunity to take a two-score lead in the fourth quarter against the Colts on Sunday, but rather than attempt a two-point conversion to potentially push the Jets' lead to nine points, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich played it safe and set out the kicking team.

Ulbrich told reporters after the game that he put the trust in his defense to make a stop and win the game for the Jets. That proved to be the wrong decision, as the Jets' defense would let up not one but two touchdown drives to help seal a Colts victory.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers told reporters that he preferred to go for two in that situation and that he believed that was the plan. Rodgers insisted he was confused when Ulbrich signaled to the extra-point team after the Jets' fourth-quarter touchdown.

Ulbrich seemed to agree with Rodgers' assertion, insisting after the game that he regrets his decision in hindsight. Unfortunately, regrets don't win football games.

Aaron Rodgers makes NFL history

Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Despite his obvious struggles this season with the Jets, that much can't be taken away from him. Rodgers added to his growing legacy on Sunday despite his team's loss to the Colts.

The future Hall of Famer officially passed Dan Marino for eighth place on the NFL's all-time passing leaderboard. Rodgers now has 61,497 passing yards in his storied 20-year career after throwing for 184 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

It's been a difficult year for Rodgers, who is on pace for the worst statistical season of his career. The Jets sit at 3-8, and while not all of that can be blamed on the quarterback, Rodgers absolutely deserves his share of blame.

Jets fans probably would have preferred Rodgers' historic feat to have been achieved in a win (and in a game that actually mattered), but such is life with this Jets season. Even the good moments are hard to celebrate.