In a heartbreaking turn of events, the New York Jets suffered a defeat in their opening match of the 2024/25 NFL season after parting ways with their head coach. The team faced off against Joe Allen’s Bills at the iconic MetLife Stadium, where the Bills emerged victorious with a scoreline of 23-20. This marked the first game since Woody Johnson made the decision to fire Saleh, adding further fuel to the fire as Rodgers, the star quarterback, struggled to leave a lasting impression on the game.
Despite putting up a valiant effort, the 40-year-old quarterback could only manage a pass completion rate of 65.7%, throwing for 294 yards and two touchdowns. In stark contrast, Allen showcased his efficiency by boasting a pass completion rate of 76%, with 215 yards and two touchdowns to his name. Ultimately, the Jets find themselves with a 2-4 record in the AFC East, trailing behind the Bills by two games but remaining on par with the injury-plagued Miami Dolphins.
The questions on everyone’s minds are what went wrong for the Jets. It appears that the team’s star players are faltering to meet the expectations set for them. Rodgers is grappling to rediscover his form from his Green Bay Packers days, while Breece Hall has yet to establish himself as a dominant force in the offense. Moreover, the offensive line’s inability to protect Rodgers has seen him sacked 16 times in just six games, forcing him to release the ball prematurely and leading to five interceptions in the 2024/25 season.
While Saleh may not have been on par with legendary coach Bill Belichick, he also did not receive the necessary support from his team. The players’ reputations preceded them, placing an unjust amount of pressure on Saleh, a burden that even Rodgers acknowledged. As the Jets gear up to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 at the Acrisure Stadium on Sunday Night Football, all eyes will be on them to see if they can bounce back from this early setback. Kick-off is scheduled for October 20 at 20:20 ET/17:20 PT.
