Days after the Jets’ 2023 training camp opened, Broncos coach Sean Payton sent shockwaves through NFL circles.
In a USA Today article, Payton made disparaging remarks about his predecessor and current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
“This might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history,” Payton said in the article. “That’s how bad it was.”
As many might expect, Payton’s comments were not well received at the Jets facility. Jets coach Robert Saleh responded by quoting a song by rap artist Rico Richie, saying, “If you don’t have haters, you don’t pop.” »
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a little more direct in his comments.
“I thought it was completely uncalled for, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth,” Rodgers told NFL Network.
The Jets beat the Broncos last year and got their revenge against Payton over his comments. Gang Green and Denver will meet again on Sunday for the fifth consecutive season.
Some time has passed since tensions between the two sides began, and Rodgers and the Jets appear ready to let bygones be in the past.
“It’s old news, you know,” Rodgers said this week when asked about the comments about Hackett. “We’ve all said things we’d like to take back, some things have been said and taken out of context I’m sure from time to time, but I honestly haven’t thought about it.”
Even if the beef between the Jets (2-1) and the Broncos (1-2) has calmed down, Sunday’s game is important for both teams. After losing their season opener to San Francisco, Gang Green bounced back and won their last two games.
The Jets offense is firing on all cylinders. For the first time since 1989 and for the fourth time in franchise history, the Jets offense scored three touchdowns in its first three games of the season.
Rodgers is coming off his best game since tore his four-game Achilles in his Jets debut last season. In the 24-3 victory over the Patriots, Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Sunday’s game is important for the Jets for several reasons. Rodgers and receiver Garrett Wilson haven’t had the chemistry many expected once the season started. Wilson has 15 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown in three games.
Opposing teams grabbed Wilson and forced Rodgers to throw the ball to his other receivers. The challenge won’t get any easier this week for Rodgers and Wilson. The Broncos’ Patrick Surtain II, arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, will likely shadow Wilson for most of the game.
“Any time they give that look, it can be frustrating,” Wilson said. “I have to be sure we’ll get that answer on the other side and that’s what we found out.
“Yeah, it’s really frustrating. I’m proud to do plays and stuff like that and do what I do. But if they want to give me that look, we have to handle it in the best way possible.
The other reason the Broncos game is critical is the Jets’ upcoming October schedule. As of their game in London on October 6, the Jets’ next three opponents (Vikings, Bills and Steelers) are currently 9-0 to start the season. That also doesn’t include the Oct. 31 game against the Texans, who are 2-1 with their only loss coming against the Vikings.
Who exactly are the Jets right now?
After a rough outing in the Week 1 loss to the 49ers, the Jets’ offense and defense looked championship-worthy against the Patriots. Gang Green also looked sluggish in the first half against Tennessee in Week 2. The Jets’ defense was also poor against the 49ers, allowing eight straight field goals to end the game.
Last week, the Jets conducted business against an inferior opponent. It’s time to see if the Jets can manage prosperity and success before the road gets tougher starting next week.
“Consistency, you know,” Rodgers said. “I think it’s a consistent message coming from the top and then the leaders in the locker room exemplifying those messages and then just trying to practice good habits.
“It’s not just when you’re in the facility, but what do you do when you’re at home? How do you prepare? Games are often won and lost Monday through Saturday of a normal week because that’s when you take care of your body, rest, eat well, prepare properly, that you have the right conversations, and that Sunday is just the endgame. six days of preparation.
After losing their first two games, the Broncos picked up their first win of the season against the Buccaneers in Week 3.
The Jets defense will not play against former quarterback Zach Wilson, who will be sidelined. They will face 2024 first-round pick Bo Nix, who is still looking for his first NFL touchdown pass after throwing four interceptions in three games.
Although the Broncos beat the Buccaneers 26-7 last weekend, Nix did not throw a touchdown after completing 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards.
“I was lucky when I went to the Senior Bowl, he was one of our quarterbacks, so I got to spend a lot of time with him,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. , about Nix. “He’s got that stuff that you just can’t coach. He’s got this confidence, this spunk, this swag, whatever you want to call it.
“He is incredibly intelligent and a great competitor. Then you watch the tape and you see a guy growing up and becoming a real quarterback in this league, so we’re going to have our hands full.
“He moves the sticks a lot with his feet. And he shows a certain tenacity when he leads it. He’s not a guy looking to find the slippery spot on the floor. Like he’s going to fight for extra yards and we’re going to have to tackle him, so he’s a big challenge.
