Tag: Jets

Nov 14, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (72) unwraps his taped hand as he leaves the field after losing to the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif announces retirement from NFL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is retiring from the NFL.

The Super Bowl champion made the announcement on social media on Thursday.

Duvernay-Tardif, who also is a doctor, walked away from football in 2020 to work in medicine in his native Canada at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For his efforts, Sports Illustrated named him the Sportsperson of the Year.

“I’ve had the chance to play in the NFL for 9 years and even today, I sometimes can’t believe I was able to experience this adventure,” Duvernay-Tardif wrote Thursday on Instagram. “Being a professional athlete is a privilege as well as an extremely enriching human and personal experience. The victories, losses and injuries have all been moments to learn how to win and lose as a team while managing a wide range of emotions.”

Duvernay-Tardif, 32, played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2015-19, appearing in 60 games (57 starts). He decided to return to football in the fall of 2021, and the Chiefs traded him to the New York Jets on Nov. 2 as part of a four-team deal.

He has played in 73 career games (65 starts) and won a Super Bowl title with the Chiefs during the 2019 season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) throws a pass in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jets intent on snapping 14-game skid to Patriots

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The last time the New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots, Barack Obama was president and the NFL still had franchises in San Diego and St. Louis.

It was Dec. 27, 2015, when Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Eric Decker for a Jets touchdown in overtime after Bill Belichick told his captains to kick it away if New England won the coin toss.

The Patriots have beaten the Jets 14 straight times since then, and after a winless start to the 2023 season, they will set their sights on Zach Wilson and try for No. 15 on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

If New England (0-2) wins, it will match the Kansas City Chiefs’ 15-game run against the Denver Broncos as the longest active winning streaks against one opponent.

But the Patriots just had another streak come to an end with their 24-17 Sunday night loss to the Miami Dolphins. They are 0-2 to start a season for the first time since 2001, the year Drew Bledsoe got hurt (against the Jets) and backup Tom Brady stepped in.

Mac Jones leads the league in pass attempts, having completed 66 of 96 throws for 547 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions through two games. The Patriots have gained just 164 yards on the ground, sixth fewest in the league, but Belichick does not believe the imbalance is a pattern at this stage.

“We’ve won games throwing three passes and we’ve won games throwing 50 passes,” Belichick said. “So do what you need to do to win.”

Jones said he needs to improve but isn’t going to press.

“What’s the play? What’s my job?” Jones said he asks himself. “How can I do it really well? And how can I bring others with me?”

Starting left tackle Trent Brown missed Week 2 with a concussion but returned as a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice. Cornerback Marcus Jones (shoulder) was out while defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee), defensive back Jonathan Jones (ankle), wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee) and offensive linemen Mike Onwenu (ankle), Sidy Sow (concussion) and Cole Strange (knee) were also limited.

For the Jets (1-1), the loss of Aaron Rodgers in the season opener created an emotional nosedive. After beating the Buffalo Bills on a walk-off punt return TD in overtime, the Jets were handed a 30-10 loss by the Dallas Cowboys.

Wilson went 12-for-27 passing for 170 yards and a touchdown against Dallas but threw interceptions on each of the final three drives with the loss already secured. He was sacked three times and constantly under pressure, placing the Jets’ offensive line under the microscope.

Center Connor McGovern said Wilson is “a damn good player” when his confidence is high.

“It’s tough to have his confidence be high when, on the first third down, he gets sacked within 2 1/2 seconds or something crazy. That’s on the O-line,” McGovern said.

The Jets’ young core has not been part of many defeats to New England, but players recognize the losing streak and want to start their own history.

“It’s time that things change around here,” wide receiver Garrett Wilson said on an ESPN New York radio appearance. “I don’t like talking about it too much, but this is one of the first steps. Fourteen straight is unacceptable. That’s unacceptable. I’m 0-2 against them. That’s unacceptable.”

Left tackle Duane Brown (shoulder, hip) missed Wednesday’s practice, as did safety Tony Adams (hamstring), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (hip) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (right groin). Austin Seibert was elevated from the practice squad to handle kicking duties in Week 2 when Zuerlein couldn’t go.

Right tackle Mekhi Becton (knee), running back Breece Hall (knee), linebacker Quincy Williams (knee) and cornerback Michael Carter II (elbow) were limited Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass in the second quarter against the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys blow past Aaron Rodgers-less Jets 30-10

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Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes and Brandon Aubrey kicked five field goals as the Dallas Cowboys blew out a New York team for the second straight week with a 30-10 thrashing of the Jets on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Prescott completed 31 of 38 passes for 255 yards in an efficient effort as Dallas improved to 2-0. After a 40-0 blowout of the Giants in Week 1, the Cowboys were more workmanlike but just as good against a Jets team playing without quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles).

Zach Wilson hit on 12 of 27 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions for New York (1-1). His highlight was a 68-yard pass-and-run connection with Garrett Wilson at the 7:12 mark of the second quarter, the first touchdown scored against Dallas in six quarters.

The Jets’ momentum didn’t last long. Prescott hit Luke Schoonmaker on a 1-yard scoring strike to cap a drive of more than five minutes, and Tony Pollard’s 2-point conversion run gave the Cowboys an 18-7 lead.

Austin Seibert’s 34-yard field goal for the Jets with four seconds remaining made it 18-10 at the half.

Dallas pulled away in the second half behind Aubrey, who nailed field goals of 21, 55, 26 and 30 yards to go along with the 35-yarder he made in the second quarter. He became the first Cowboy to make five field goals in a game since Dan Bailey did it in 2013.

Prescott got Dallas off to a fast start by finding Jake Ferguson for a 4-yard touchdown pass at the 9:19 mark of the first quarter, polishing off a 12-play, 75-yard drive. Prescott went 5-for-5 for 41 yards on the march, including a 25-yard connection with CeeDee Lamb. That was the start of a huge day for Lamb, who caught 11 passes on 13 targets for 143 yards.

The Cowboys became the third team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to open a season by scoring at least 70 points in their first two games while holding opponents to 10 or fewer.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) kicks off during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Jets rule out K Greg Zuerlein (groin) vs. Cowboys

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The New York Jets downgraded injured kicker Greg Zuerlein to out for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Multiple media outlets reported on Saturday that the Jets (1-0) will sign kicker Austin Seibert to play against the Cowboys (1-0).

Zuerlein injured his groin in practice on Thursday, prompting the team to bring in three kickers on Friday.

Zuerlein made all three of his field-goal attempts in New York’s 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday.

Zuerlein, 35, is in his 12th NFL season. He re-signed with the Jets in March after serving as the team’s kicker in 2022. He played for the Cowboys in 2020 and 2021.

Seibert, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He made 44 of 55 field goal attempts and converted 55 of 61 extra point tries in 30 career games with the Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) sacks New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) early in the first quarter during the home opener at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford. Rodgers was carted off the field after being hit.

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers on doubters: ‘Watch what I do’

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t closing the book on playing again in the NFL — and he’s not just talking about next season.

Speaking publicly for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon on Monday night, Rodgers said Friday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” that his career is not over.

“I think what I’d like to say is give me the doubts,” Rodgers said. “Give me the timetables, give me all the things that you think can, should or will happen because all I need is that extra one percent of inspiration. That’s all I need. Give me your doubts, give me your prognostications and then watch what I do.”

When asked if he could return as soon as this season, Rodgers channeled a Basketball Hall of Famer with a tongue-in-cheek response. “I think as Kevin Garnett said, ‘Anything is possible.’”

Rodgers was injured four offensive snaps into the Jets’ season-opening 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills. He noted during an Instagram post that he had surgery on Wednesday.

The four-time MVP turns 40 in December but is signed for 2024. He indicated prior to the injury that he intends to spend multiple seasons with the Jets and said Wednesday that he is looking to make a comeback.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Jets K Greg Zuerlein ’50-50′ with groin injury

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Add kicker workouts to the New York Jets’ to-do list Friday.

Head coach Robert Saleh said a few veteran kickers would work out for the team with Greg Zuerlein’s status up in the air for Week 2 because of a groin injury.

“It’s not a serious injury, but serious enough to bring this game in question,” Saleh said Friday of Zuerlein potentially needing a week to recover.

The Jets (1-0) play at Dallas (1-0) on Sunday afternoon.

Saleh said Zuerlein will not practice Friday and the chances he plays are “50-50.” He made all three of his field-goal attempts in the Week 1 win against Buffalo.

Zuerlein, 35, is in his 12th NFL season. He re-signed with the Jets in March after serving as the team’s kicker in 2022. He played for the Cowboys in 2020 and 2021.

Among available options are Robbie Gould, the former 49ers kicker who was with San Francisco when Saleh was the defensive coordinator.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ August 26, 2023 -- Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Aaron Rodgers in the first half. The NY Jets against the NY Giants on August 26, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, as the rivals play their final preseason game before the start of the NFL season.

Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett certain Aaron Rodgers will play in ’24

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Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has graduated from shock and disbelief, even if the New York Jets play-caller still can’t put his emotions over the season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers into words.

“I don’t think there are words to describe it … I just feel horrible for him,” Hackett said Thursday.

The Jets had to turn the page at quarterback in real time from Rodgers to Zach Wilson. Hackett spent multiple seasons working with Rodgers in Green Bay and most of the past four months working in lockstep with Rodgers to fine tune New York’s offensive scheme for the 2023 season.

Much of that prep work unraveled in four snaps Monday, at which point the four-time league MVP suffered a torn left Achilles tendon. With Rodgers on injured reserve, Wilson and Tim Boyle, another former Packers quarterback, make up the depth chart as the Jets get ready for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Hackett denied he’s planning to turn Wilson from self-described “gunslinger” to a game manager, a widely held opinion based on head coach Robert Saleh’s assertion that the Jets plan to lean on their championship-caliber defense.

“I want every quarterback to be a quarterback,” Hackett said.

Rodgers turns 40 in December, and speculation about his recovery from surgery and a potential return to the Jets to honor his contract remains rampant. Rodgers said in a social media message he will “rise again,” and Hackett clearly believes he already knows the future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee will return.

“Oh yeah,” Hackett said. “Whenever Aaron’s got his mind set on something, good luck for anybody that wants to change his mind.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Jets draw confident Cowboys in battle of Big D

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Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury sent the New York Jets into a temporary darkness retreat, but head coach Robert Saleh proclaimed his team plans a revival behind a rugged defense and backup quarterback Zach Wilson.

Wilson takes the reins as the Jets (1-0) head to Dallas to measure up to the Cowboys (1-0), who annihilated the Giants 40-0 in Week 1.

“Everyone believes in themselves,” Saleh said of the Jets’ mindset after losing Rodgers. “We believe we have a really good football team. Like I’ve said before, we have a championship defense. We’ve got great skill guys on offense, an O-line that’s continuing to jell. And we’ve got great faith in Zach.

“I don’t know if there’s anything to say (about moving on from Rodgers). It sounds cliche. But it’s next man up. Nobody cares. Sunday’s coming. … That’s the harsh part of the business.”

Wilson was the second overall pick in 2021 and started last season 5-1 before, in Saleh’s estimation, the team around him deteriorated under the weight of injuries.

Flawed pass protection didn’t help Rodgers in Week 1. A more resilient group leaning on running backs Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall is tasked with helping Wilson navigate enemy waters Sunday in his 23rd career start. Wilson is 8-14.

Dallas destroyed the Giants’ offensive line with seven sacks and spent time advance scouting the defense because of similar personnel and the same coordinator. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he was planning to base some of the Cowboys’ defensive game plan on what took place Monday, in addition to his 13 years with Rodgers in Green Bay.

Saleh’s background is defense, and New York expects defensive end Carl Lawson to return after missing Week 1. He’ll join the group that made Josh Allen look ordinary with four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) in the overtime win for the Jets.

Setting aside the personal attachment to Rodgers, McCarthy said the Cowboys are turning the page. But the defensive plan is more of the same — all-day pressure.

“Statistically, it’s the best one I’ve ever been a part of,” McCarthy said of the pass rush generating pressure on 63 percent of the Giants’ snaps last week. “It was obviously a big part of setting the tempo. You could see this building the last three years and definitely felt it all throughout training camp.”

Dallas had three takeaways and gave up 171 total yards to the Giants.

Hackett figures to counter the attacking front seven with a healthy dose of Cook and Hall. Hall had 10 carries for 127 yards in Week 1, plus a 20-yard reception.

Saleh said he doesn’t micromanage players away from the field to know how Wilson has grown since being benched in 2022. But he said the energy and aura Wilson exhibits since Rodgers arrived are major differences between the lines. He’s also counting on new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to bring out Wilson’s best.

“This is not a reflection of the old staff, the coaches prior. But Hackett is the eternal optimist,” Saleh said. “I’ve always argued a coach’s No. 1 job beyond scheme and everything else is to make their players feel like they could walk on water. That’s their job. He’s one of those special coaches who have that ability.”

“All three phases, Dallas is loaded,” Saleh said. “It’s not going to be easy.”

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ August 26, 2023 -- bCoach Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers celebrates after the third offensive unit scored a fourth quarter TD. The NY Jets against the NY Giants on August 26, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, as the rivals play their final preseason game before the start of the NFL season.

Jets coach would be ‘shocked’ if Aaron Rodgers retires

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Jets head coach Robert Saleh envisions Aaron Rodgers breaking the huddle as his quarterback again next season.

Rodgers faces a nine-month recovery from a torn Achilles after leaving Monday’s debut with the franchise with the season-ending injury and landing on injured reserve Tuesday.

Saleh said he doubts Rodgers opts to retire.

“I’d be shocked if this is the way he’s going to go out,” Saleh said Wednesday.

The four-time MVP turns 40 in December but is signed for 2024. He indicated prior to the injury that he intends to spend multiple seasons with the Jets.

Saleh said no surgery date is set for Rodgers, who is being given space to cope with the emotional weight of the injury. Coaches said they’re hopeful Rodgers will rejoin the team and stay connected to help tutor Zach Wilson, who steps back into the starting role Sunday at Dallas.

The Jets are still reviewing options to fill Rodgers’ roster spot. Saleh said a move at quarterback is unlikely this week, with Wilson starting and Tim Boyle elevated from the No. 3 role to be the primary backup.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet after the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jets won’t try to lure Tom Brady out of retirement

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The New York Jets will not ask a seven-time Super Bowl champion to replace a four-time Most Valuable Player.

The Athletic reported Wednesday that Tom Brady coming out of retirement to replace injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t one of the options head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets are discussing.

Brady, 46, has made it clear to people close to him that he is finished with football, per the report.

Saleh confirmed Tuesday that 2021 first-round pick Zach Wilson is “our quarterback” and there is no competition heading into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

Rodgers, 39, played just four snaps in his much-anticipated Jets debut on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills before sustaining a torn left Achilles tendon, ending his season.

Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, replaced Rodgers and completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Jets defeated the Bills 22-16 in overtime on undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson’s 65-yard punt return.

Tim Boyle is the only other quarterback on New York’s roster, leaving the Jets to shop around this week for a veteran free agent.

–Field Level Media