The New York Jets entered the 2024 season with lofty aspirations, bolstered by the arrival of legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his former favorite target, Davante Adams. However, those dreams quickly turned into a nightmare when a disappointing 2-3 start prompted impatient owner Woody Johnson to relieve head coach Robert Saleh of his duties just five games into the campaign.
Ulbrich Takes the Reins, but Jets Continue to Falter
In a bid to salvage the season, Johnson turned to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, naming him interim head coach. Known for his fiery personality and hands-on approach, Ulbrich was expected to galvanize the talented roster and steer the ship back on course. Unfortunately, the opposite has occurred, with the Jets going 1-4 under Ulbrich’s leadership.
Defensive Woes Persist Under Ulbrich
Perhaps most alarming is the regression of the Jets’ once-formidable defense. In the first five games under Saleh, the unit surrendered an average of just 17 points and 256 yards per contest. Since Ulbrich took charge, those numbers have ballooned to 26 points and 349 yards per game. Despite his defensive pedigree, Ulbrich has been unable to recapture the dominance that defined the Jets’ identity in recent years.
Everyone is pissed. There’s collective anger, frustration, all those things.
– Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets Interim Head Coach
Offensive Struggles Continue Despite Playcalling Changes
On the offensive side of the ball, Ulbrich stripped coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of playcalling duties, handing the responsibility to passing-game coordinator Todd Downing. While there have been modest improvements in rushing and passing production, scoring has dipped from 19 to 17 points per game, and situational football – particularly in the red zone – has been abysmal.
- Red zone efficiency under Hackett: 62%
- Red zone efficiency under Downing: 44%
Rodgers and Adams: Reconnection Gone Wrong
The reunion of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, expected to be a catalyst for offensive fireworks, has instead fizzled. Rodgers appears to be forcing the ball to his old friend, resulting in Adams posting a catch rate of just 51.3% – the worst among wide receivers with at least 25 targets since his arrival. The once-dynamic duo looks like a shell of their former selves, struggling to recapture the magic that made them one of the NFL’s most feared combinations in Green Bay.
That’s not my standard of football, so it’s frustrating.
– Davante Adams, New York Jets Wide Receiver
Locker Room Turmoil and Questionable Chemistry
Beyond the on-field struggles, there are whispers of discontent within the Jets’ locker room. One opposing player who faced the Jets this season questioned the team’s chemistry, suggesting that despite the talented roster, they are “just not playing together or for each other.” Ulbrich’s hands-on, emotive coaching style – while appreciated by some – has not translated into the cohesion and unity necessary for success.
A Bleak Outlook for the Jets
As the losses mount and frustration grows, the Jets find themselves closer to securing the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft than to sniffing the postseason. Barring a miraculous turnaround, the once-promising 2024 campaign appears destined to be yet another chapter in the franchise’s decades-long tale of futility.
For long-suffering Jets fans, the situation is all too familiar. The names and faces may change, but the results remain the same. As the organization stares down the barrel of a 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance, one thing becomes painfully clear: the New York Jets are still light-years away from being a contender, regardless of who is at the helm.
