Just one month into the 2024 season, the New York Jets find themselves on the verge of turmoil. With a 2-2 record as they head into October, the team has looked disjointed, particularly on offense, and there are growing concerns that the season could be slipping away.
The offensive struggles have been glaring, and Sunday’s 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium only intensified the spotlight on the team’s inefficiency. It was a historic low point for Aaron Rodgers, marking the first time in his illustrious career that he failed to lead his team to a touchdown while playing a full home game. This surprising stat underscores just how far off the mark the Jets’ offense has been, with pre-snap penalties and miscommunication haunting the unit week after week.
After the Broncos game, cracks began to show in the relationship between Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh. The two appeared to clash over how to address the offensive line’s numerous pre-snap penalties, a recurring issue that has disrupted the Jets’ offensive rhythm. This visible disagreement has only fueled speculation about deeper tensions between the veteran quarterback and his head coach.
Former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason weighed in on the situation, expressing his belief that there are “major” problems brewing between Rodgers and Saleh. On his WFAN radio show, Esiason drew parallels to his own experiences during his playing days, noting the telltale signs of a fractured relationship.
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“I try to watch to see if I see any interactions on the sideline or anything — nothing. Nothing. I see a guy walking right past that other guy. I can’t imagine that. Now, I remember those days, because I had those days with two coaches in particular, and it was because I didn’t trust the guy,” Esiason said, hinting that there may be a lack of trust between Rodgers and Saleh.
Esiason didn’t stop there. He continued, “I didn’t like the guy. I didn’t know what he was doing, and it pissed me off. If you read my body language back in those days, you could tell that I was pissed off. And when I see Aaron Rodgers on the sideline and I see him after the game in the postgame press conference — yesterday’s press conference — there is a major issue there.”
He went on to suggest that while Rodgers and Saleh may publicly deny any tension, the signs are there. “Both will deny it. I guarantee it. But there is an issue there. It’s because you have this 40-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback-to-be, dealing with a coach that I think he doesn’t respect.”
The Jets’ upcoming schedule only adds to the urgency. Next, they face a trip to London in Week 5 to take on the undefeated 4-0 Minnesota Vikings, one of the NFL’s top teams. Following that, they’ll return home for a Monday Night Football showdown against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, another formidable opponent.
These games represent critical tests for the Jets, and if they can’t get their offense on track — and resolve any underlying issues between their head coach and star quarterback — things could spiral quickly.
With the pressure mounting and a difficult stretch of games ahead, all eyes will be on how the Jets respond both on and off the field. If Esiason’s observations are correct, the Jets may be facing more than just tactical adjustments — they could be grappling with internal conflict that threatens to derail their season.
