4 changes the NY Jets must make including benching a defensive starter

The NY Jets fell short at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 losing by a final score of 27-12 that was every bit as lopsided as the score line indicates.

The Jets failed to score a single touchdown while their defense was the source of a get-right game for their opposition. While there's some sense of optimism surrounding the organization with Zach Wilson expected to return in Week 4, it's clear that changes need to be made.

Wilson doesn't fix the Jets. He's not even a guarantee to be an upgrade over Joe Flacco just yet. The Jets have serious issues plaguing their roster right now, but there are ways to fix them.

Let's take a look at four changes the Jets must make following yet another embarrassing blowout loss at home.

4. The NY Jets must fix their run/pass balance

If Joe Flacco were to start all 17 games for the Jets this season, he would be on pace to completely shatter the single-season passing attempt record in the NFL. That alone should raise some alarms in Florham Park.

Flacco is averaging over 50 (!!!) pass attempts per game (155 in total), throwing 59, 44, and 52 passes respectively in each of the Jets' first three games. It's hard to imagine that was the plan going into the season.

To put that number in perspective, only four quarterbacks in the league have even attempted 120 passes and only one other has surpassed 140. Flacco has 13 more attempts than any other QB in the NFL.

The Jets need to figure out a way to create a more balanced offensive game plan, especially with two more-than-capable running backs in Michael Carter and Breece Hall. There's no scenario where Zach Wilson should be averaging 50 pass attempts per game upon his return.

3. The NY Jets must figure out their pass protection

This one is easier said than done, but it remains the biggest issue holding back the Jets' offense. Yes, an even bigger issue than the quarterback position.

The Jets' pass protection has been downright atrocious through three weeks. On paper, this Jets offensive line should be pretty good, especially given the game that fourth-round rookie Max Mitchell had on Sunday.

But in reality, it's been arguably the biggest weakness on the team.

George Fant looks like a shell of his 2021 self at left tackle and is the weakest link of the unit. His replacement in Week 3, Conor McDermott, proves that he shouldn't be on an NFL roster every time he steps foot on the field.

Meanwhile, Laken Tomlinson has underwhelmed to begin his Jets career. Even Alijah Vera-Tucker, who had been excellent through two weeks, struggled mightily on Sunday allowing four pressures and three QB hits.

Tomlinson should improve and Vera-Tucker should bounce back. Mitchell holding his own at right tackle is a bonus. The real issue right now is Fant and the left tackle position.

Whether Fant isn't fully healthy or whatever the case, the Jets need to figure out that position. Just hoping Fant gets healthy/improves can't be Plan A anymore. That much was made clear on Sunday.

Perhaps that answer is Duane Brown. Perhaps it isn't.

If Brown isn't healthy, the Jets need to make a move and add another offensive tackle. Sign somebody. Make a trade. Do something other than relying on a clearly-hobbled Fant and a backup tackle who more closely resembles an old saloon door than an offensive lineman.

The Jets are in a rough spot here, but they need to find a solution — and fast.

2. The NY Jets must bench Lamarcus Joyner for Will Parks

Lamarcus Joyner has been one of the NFL's worst safeties through the first three weeks of the season. While his Week 3 performance wasn't quite as terrible as his first two games, the bar was set on the floor.

Joyner's abysmal 29.1 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 111th out of 113 safeties to play at least one offensive snap through the first two weeks of the season. That's how bad he's been.

We're talking missed tackles, blown coverage assignments, and just overall poor positioning. At this point, it's hard to imagine the Jets downgrading with any replacement, but it just so happens that they have a worthy alternative on the roster in the form of Will Parks.

Will Parks is a good NFL player and he was the best free safety on the Jets' roster throughout the summer. Parks stepped in and played three games for the Jets down the stretch last season, finishing with a 78.7 PFF grade.

It's not as if Parks is inexperienced either. The 28-year-old has 77 career games and 20 NFL starts under his belt dating back to his time with the Denver Broncos. Yet, for whatever reason, the Jets clearly see him as little more than a special teamer.

The Jets already discarded one of their promising options at free safety when they cut Jason Pinnock this summer. They can't make the same mistake again with Parks. Joyner has to go.

1. The NY Jets must fix their defensive line rotation

The safety position has been a mess for the Jets, but through three weeks, the greatest disappointment on the entire roster has to be the team's pass rush.

The talk all summer was about how dominant the Jets' pass rush could be in 2022. Carl Lawson was returning to pair with the likes of Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers. The team added Jermaine Johnson and Jacob Martin. They were considered to be six or seven deep at edge rusher.

Yet, through three weeks, the Jets have had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL. Against a Bengals offensive line that had allowed 13 sacks through two games, the Jets barely sniffed Joe Burrow for most of the game.

There's an obvious culprit here too. Part of it has been Lawson and others underperforming. That can't be fixed. What can be fixed, however, is the way the Jets have rotated their defensive line.

Quinnen Williams is still playing just 50-60 percent of snaps per game. Jacob Martin is playing between 30 and 40 percent of snaps. The same goes for Nathan Shepherd. Meanwhile, Bryce Huff has been a healthy scratch in every game so far.

What are we doing here? Forget a rotation — play your best players.

Williams entered the week tied for 53rd in snaps played at defensive tackle despite being arguably the Jets' best player this season. Huff, who I'd argue is the second-best true edge rusher on the roster, can't even suit up on game days.

There's an obvious solution here. Play Williams more. Bench Shepherd. Move Franklin-Myers to more of an interior role. Give Huff those extra snaps at edge rusher. There you have it. Play your best players.

No issue is more frustratingly fixable than this one.