Evaluating the first month of the NY Jets 2023 season

The Patriots debacle

Week 3 had the Jets square off against their bitter rivals, the New England Patriots. The Jets were searching for their first win against the Patriots in seven years, and fans and players alike recognized the importance of this one. A win would move the Jets to 2-1, whereas a loss dropped the team to 1-2.

On a rainy afternoon, quarterback Zach Wilson looked lost. The Jets' offense tallied 61 total yards on their first nine offensive drives and fell behind 10-0 in a game that resembled the Jets' 10-3 loss last season.

However, just as things seemed to get out of hand, Wilson led the Jets on a massive drive to cut the deficit to 13-10 with just five minutes left. It was about the only thing the Jets did well on the day.

They would get the ball back three more times with a chance to tie or take the lead and managed to surrender points when Wilson was sacked for a safety. A last-second Hail Mary attempt fell into and out of Randall Cobb’s hands, and the Jets once again fell to the Patriots, 15-10.

Quarterback controversy

Postgame, things got even worse. The Jets, now 1-2, refused to blame Wilson’s lackluster game as a reason behind the loss. Coach Robert Saleh even went as far as to say that Wilson played well and blamed other players on the team for the loss, telling them to step up to help Wilson out.

It did not sit well in the locker room, and it appeared the Jets were once again spiraling out of control. Reports started to leak out suggesting that defensive players were angry with Saleh and demanding that a new quarterback be brought in to help the team win.

It was even reported that Owner Woody Johnson told Saleh and GM Joe Douglas that despite Rodgers’ injury, a bad 2023 season could cost them both their jobs. Realizing that changes needed to be made and players needed to be held accountable, the Jets immediately revamped their approach.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian was brought in the next day to back up Wilson and start to prepare for the opportunity to play after the bye week.

Coach Robert Saleh came out the next day to clarify his remarks on the team, claiming that both he and Wilson agreed that Wilson needed to play better. He would start against Kansas City in Week 4, but after that, nothing was guaranteed.