Tag: Saleh

Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) suffers an injury after a tackle from Minnesota Vikings Linebacker Patrick Jones II (91) in the 3rd Quarter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images

Jets: QB Aaron Rodgers (ankle) ‘fine’ for Week 6

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Monday that quarterback Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a low ankle sprain but that all indications are he should be “fine” for next week’s game.

Rodgers sustained the injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. The four-time league MVP said after the game he was “definitely banged up” and dealing with the sprained ankle, an injury Saleh confirmed to reporters on Monday.

“He’s dealing with a low ankle, but all the preliminary stuff says he’ll be fine,” Saleh said during a video call. “I talked with him last night and he’s doing fine. Obviously, he’s a little banged up, but he feels good.”

Rodgers was sacked three times and hit another 11 times by the Vikings. Rodgers attempted 54 passes, completing 29 for 244 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, including a pick-six in the final minute that clinched the win for the Vikes.

“The reality is, if you throw the ball over 50 times, the quarterback is going to get hit. Period,” Saleh said.

Despite the loss, Rodgers achieved a milestone on Sunday, becoming just the ninth quarterback in NFL history to throw for 60,000 career yards.

On the season, Rodgers is completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,093 yards, seven TDs and four INTs.

The Jets (2-3) host AFC East rival Buffalo (3-2) next week on “Monday Night Football.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh hugs quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after a touchdown by running back Breece Hall (not pictured) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Robert Saleh says Jets will ‘push envelope’ with cadence

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh backtracked Monday after previously suggesting that quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ unique cadence was contributing to the team’s pre-snap penalties.

The Jets were flagged for five false starts during Sunday’s 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.

“We’ve got to figure it out, whether or not we’re good enough or ready to handle all the cadence,” Saleh said after the game. “Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously, today it took a major step back.”

Rodgers, a four-time league MVP who is known for drawing “free plays” by barking signals that draw the opponent offsides, said he didn’t think his cadence was the problem.

“I don’t know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier games,” Rodgers said.

Adjusting his cadence is “one way to do it,” Rodgers said. “The other way is to hold them accountable.”

The Jets (2-2) had 13 accepted penalties for 90 yards against Denver, including seven pre-snap flags (five on offense and two on defense).

In a Monday videoconference with reporters, Saleh appeared to backtrack as he drew a distinction between “cadence” and “operation.”

“We’re always going to push the envelope with cadence. Always,” he said. “But with regards to operation, getting in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage, the communication that’s being had, those are all things that we can continue to look at and clean up.

“But from a cadence standpoint, that’s part of what makes us who we are, and we’re going to continue to always push the envelope on that.”

Rodgers completed 24 of 42 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and was sacked five times on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson (11) exits the field after an injury during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.

Jets DE Jermaine Johnson confirms torn Achilles, done for year

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson confirmed reports that he tore his right Achilles tendon in a social media post Monday.

The Jets’ third-year pass rusher, a Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement in 2023, is expected to miss the rest of the season with the injury suffered in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.

The post was accompanied by a video that showed Johnson using a leg scooter in the Jets’ facility. He said MRI results came back Monday, making his diagnosis official.

“Thank everyone for all the prayers and support! This is not a dark time for me, although there will be dark days ahead, this is Gods way for me to not only grow as a man, person and player but to also inspire others to as well,” Johnson wrote, vowing that he will “be back and better.”

Johnson, 25, was injured on a non-contact play while rushing Tennessee quarterback Will Levis in the third quarter of Sunday’s 24-17 road win. He immediately grabbed his right leg and was eventually carted off the field.

The Jets traded into the bottom of the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Johnson No. 26 overall. In 33 career games (19 starts), he has amassed 88 tackles, 10 sacks, seven pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.

Johnson’s injury will likely make the absence of Haason Reddick even more apparent. The Jets traded for Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason, but Reddick has held out for essentially his entire stint with the Jets as he seeks a long-term contract. He has already forfeited two game checks on top of racking up more than $5 million in fines.

Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that starting linebacker C.J. Mosley injured his big toe during the Titans game. He didn’t reveal whether it was a turf toe injury, but didn’t rule Mosley out for the Week 3 home opener against the New England Patriots on Thursday despite the short week.

–Field Level Media

Apr 4, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Jets linebacker Haason Reddick sits court side during the fourth quarter between the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jets coach: ‘Fair’ to say Haason Reddick won’t play in opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets held out as long as they could before pronouncing holdout edge rusher Haason Reddick out for the season opener.

Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters Saturday that it is “fair” to say Reddick won’t play Monday night against the 49ers in San Francisco as the star defender’s contract dispute continues.

Reddick is due to make $14.25 million in the final season of his three-year, $45 million contract and is looking for a long-term deal.

General manager Joe Douglas said late last month that he hasn’t spoken to Reddick since April 1, when the latter visited the Jets’ facility. Douglas noted that he also hasn’t had any recent talks with Reddick’s representation “but the phone lines are open.”

When the two sides will talk again is unclear, but Saleh said Saturday that, when the contract issues are settled, he looks forward to having Reddick in the building.

“When he gets here, we’re gonna welcome him with open arms,” Saleh said. “We’re gonna love him up and he’s gonna be a part of this football team and he’s gonna help us win a lot of football games.”

Reddick, who turns 30 on Sept. 22, has recorded 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons.

A first-round pick (13th overall) by Arizona in 2017, Reddick is a two-time Pro Bowl selection with 410 tackles, 99 quarterback hits, 58 sacks and 16 forced fumbles in 114 games (81 starts) with the Cardinals (2017-20), Carolina Panthers (2021) and Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets practice during training camp on July 27, 2024.

Aaron Rodgers ready for Take 2 with Jets: ‘In a good mind space’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers’ 2023 season ended after four snaps. The New York Jets’ season essentially did, too.

The 40-year-old star quarterback is feeling confident ahead of the 2024 season opener, going as far as to crack a joke about last year’s Achilles injury during his game-week press conference Thursday.

“There might be a little smirk after the fourth (snap),” Rodgers said with a smile.

The Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers during the summer of 2023, believing that they were one great quarterback away from Super Bowl contention. Once Rodgers went down, they suffered through another ineffective campaign by Zach Wilson and contributions from third- and fourth-string QB options.

Rodgers’ task is to help the woebegone franchise end the longest playoff drought in not only the NFL, but the four major North American sports leagues. The Jets’ last playoff game was the 2010 AFC Championship game in January 2011; the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres are tied with the Jets at 13 seasons but played a playoff series in April 2011.

“We can’t ride these waves of emotion or frustration or outside narratives or any of these things,” Rodgers said Thursday. “We’ve got to keep this thing very tight. We can’t have any leaks or people jumping ship. We got to realize it’s going to be a long season.”

Rodgers, often a controversial figure away from the field, was fined by the Jets for skipping mandatory minicamp in favor of a trip to Egypt. Since then, the Jets have said the four-time league MVP has been all about football.

“I think he’s in a great place,” New York coach Robert Saleh said. “Not just mentally, but physically he looks awesome. … He’s a professional. He’s done it a long time. He’s not a 40-year-old quarterback, so I think he’s just fine.”

The Jets will open the season on “Monday Night Football” for the second year in a row. Rodgers’ injury came on the opening series against the Buffalo Bills last September; this year, the Jets will travel west to face the San Francisco 49ers. Rodgers hails from the Northern California region, specifically the nearby town of Chico.

Rodgers may not have played a full NFL game since the end of the 2022 regular season with Green Bay, but he said the standard he holds himself to hasn’t changed.

“I have a lot of pride in my performance, so when I take the field, I expect greatness because I’ve done it before,” Rodgers said.

“…I’m in a good mind space. (I) really had a year to remember in a lot of ways — some really difficult things, with some great things as well. So, there’s always a perspective moment during the (national anthem) to collect your thoughts and kind of send gratitude out to the universe for the opportunity for me (to) stand on the field and pads. I’ll be really excited about that.”

–Field Level Media

New York Jets linebacker Haason Reddick sits court side during the fourth quarter between the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

NFL’s lone holdout, LB Haason Reddick, not ruled out by Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No-show Haason Reddick, the NFL’s final player holdout entering the regular season, was not at the team facility for practice with the New York Jets on Thursday.

But with four nights until gameday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh isn’t putting to rest the possibility Reddick might play at San Francisco on Monday night.

“Not ruling him out yet. It’s feasible. I mean, the opponent we’re playing just had two guys show up to practice,” Saleh said Thursday. “You trust that your veterans who know how to do things the right way will get themselves ready to play.”

Reddick is due to make $14.25 million in the final season of his three-year, $45 million contract and is looking for a long-term deal. He has recorded 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons and was penciled in as a starter at one of the Jets’ edge positions.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas said he hasn’t spoken to Reddick since April 1, when the latter visited the Jets’ facility. Douglas noted that he also hasn’t had any recent talks with Reddick’s representation “but the phone lines are open.”

The 49ers reached contract agreements with two late arrivals in wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams. Aiyuk attended most of training camp and preseason practices but didn’t participate. Williams skipped all offseason and preseason workouts with the team out of frustration with a six-year contract he completed the first three seasons of because it was devoid of guaranteed money for 2024, 2025 and 2026.

49ers general manager John Lynch addressed both deals and each player reported in time to participate in practice this week. They’re expected to be on the field in Santa Clara on Monday night when the Jets visit for the regular-season opener.

But there’s no indication Reddick, acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, intends to blink.

–Field Level Media

Jul 22, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the ball during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: ‘No restrictions’ at OTAs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will be ready when the New York Jets begin their offseason training activities on May 20.

Coach Robert Saleh said Friday that the 40-year-old quarterback will have “no restrictions” eight months after Achilles surgery.

After a celebrated tenure with Green Bay, Rodgers’ 2023 Jets debut ended after just four snaps with a torn left Achilles.

Saleh confirmed that Rodgers is on track to participate in “phase three” of OTAs, a four-week period when teams can hold 10 practices with non-contact, 11-on-11 work.

“Once phase three hits, we’re not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can’t do with him,” Saleh told reporters Friday at the start of a two-day rookie minicamp.

Rodgers participated in practices on a limited basis during the final month of last season.

“The guy can still sling it,” Saleh said, per ESPN. “Obviously, he’s still working through his rehab, but there are no issues on the trajectory on which he’s going.”

Rodgers passed for 59,055 yards, 475 touchdowns and 105 interceptions in 230 games (223 starts) for the Packers from 2005-22, compiling a record of 147-75-1. He made 10 Pro Bowls and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Jets’ quarterback room also includes veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Jordan Travis, drafted in the fifth round last month out of Florida State.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off of the field before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers fired up for 2024, beyond

Posted on | by Field Level Media

His old team is going to the playoffs, and Aaron Rodgers insists he plans to use the next nine months to prepare for the next game that counts with the New York Jets.

Head coach Robert Saleh praised Rodgers, who was recognized as the most inspirational teammate, for his energy and focus as the franchise heads into the offseason.

“Stick with us. We want to be the team holding that trophy,” Rodgers said Monday. “I look forward to building the excitement again — and hopefully we’ll have more fortune next year. We are close. We have a core group of really solid guys. We need some pieces.”

Saleh said Rodgers, recovering from a torn Achilles in September, spent December “carving up the scout team” and could have played in a meaningful game this month if the Jets were in a better position.

Rodgers declined to discuss his comments about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel last week, instead inviting viewers to tune in to his weekly paid interview with ESPN’s Pat McAfee on Tuesday.

“I’m going to talk about it tomorrow on the show,” he said.

The Jets went 7-10 in 2023 for the second consecutive season. Their last playoff appearance was at the end of the 2010 season, when the Jets lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rodgers turned 40 in December and spent much of the season, which he said Monday felt like “a lost year,” as a sounding board for backup Zach Wilson. But Rodgers doesn’t necessarily believe a return for Wilson next season is in his best interest.

“Sometimes a change of scenery can be a breath of fresh air,” he said.

Rodgers said he’s willing to lend a hand recruiting free agents again if general manager Joe Douglas wants an assist. From his perspective, the Jets need work on the offensive line and Saleh said another playmaker at wide receiver is “very important” to take defensive focus away from Garrett Wilson.

But Rodgers doesn’t doubt the “scheme” or offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and described New York as being “close” as contenders in 2024.

“I’d like this to be more than just next year,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) drops back to attempt a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Zach Wilson (concussion) won’t play Thursday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Zach Wilson will not clear concussion protocol in time for Thursday’s game at the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.

Trevor Siemian will remain the Jets’ starting quarterback for a second straight game with Wilson and Aaron Rodgers (Achilles rehab) both out.

Wilson was hurt during a 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 17 shortly after returning to the starting job.

Behind Siemian on Sunday, the Jets (6-9) took a 27-7 halftime lead over the Washington Commanders, blew that lead and made a late field goal to secure a 30-28 win. Siemian was 27-for-49 passing for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Siemian, 31, has appeared in 38 career games and is 14-17 as a starter for the Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Jets. He has thrown for 7,420 yards, 43 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions in his career.

The Jets are about to go up against one of their old quarterbacks, Joe Flacco, who joined the Browns (10-5) midseason due to multiple injuries at the position and has them on the brink of a playoff berth.

Saleh also ruled out tight end Jeremy Ruckert (concussion) for Thursday and said the team is monitoring kicker Greg Zuerlein due to right quad soreness.

The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention and close their season on the road against the New England Patriots on Jan. 7.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) reacts after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Flacco, Browns push for playoff clincher vs. Jets

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All the New York Jets wanted in 2023 was one healthy and productive quarterback. Looking back, the Jets might wish they would have answered when Joe Flacco knocked in September.

Flacco instead played catch with his brother one hour away from the Jets’ facility and waited three more months for the Cleveland Browns to call.

And did he ever answer.

Flacco has the Browns (10-5) on the doorstep of an improbable playoff bid and gets a visit from his old team, the Jets (6-9), on Thursday night with a chance to hand-deliver a reminder of what might have been for the beleaguered New York franchise.

Beat the Jets, and the Browns can clinch a spot in the playoffs.

“We talked about it a little bit this past week. Every week you look at the game and you’re like, ‘man, it’s a big win. Another big one,’” Flacco said.

The fourth quarterback to start for the Browns this season, Flacco took over in Week 13. Since then, he leads the NFL with 1,321 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Jets have 10 total TD passes in 2023.

When New York and 30 other teams passed, Flacco said he fell right into the ideal spot with the Browns.

“You think you are coming into a good situation,” Flacco said of signing with the Browns. “There’s a possibility for this. I think you assume from the outside this is a pretty good situation. When you get here it’s an even better situation than you’ve imagined.”

The Jets expected to be in this position but with another heavily seasoned quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, at the controls. Without Rodgers, a championship-caliber defense wasn’t enough to consistently generate wins using Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian at quarterback.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who interviewed to be Cleveland’s head coach in 2020 and coached Flacco in New York, isn’t surprised by Flacco steering the Browns into the playoff picture.

“I’ve said it before, he’s like a Ford pickup truck. You might not like it in the summer but in the winter months that son of a gun starts humming,” Saleh said.

Wilson will not play Thursday, according to Saleh, because of a concussion. Siemian is expected to get his second consecutive start after throwing for 217 yards and a touchdown during Sunday’s 30-28 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Running back Breece Hall is proving to be a lifeline for the Jets’ offense with 39 receptions in the past six games. Hall had 191 yards from scrimmage (95 rushing, 96 receiving) against the Commanders.

Hall didn’t play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame preseason game in August, recovering from a 2022 knee injury that ended his season, and the Browns have lost multiple quarterbacks to season-ending injuries. Deshaun Watson (shoulder) and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) are on injured reserve along with running back Nick Chubb (knee) and both of the Browns’ starting offensive tackles.

Enter first-year coordinator Jim Schwartz Cleveland’s top-ranked defense. The group allowed less than 300 yards in five of its past six games. The Browns are first against the pass (160.1 yards per game), total defense (260.3 yards per game), yards per play (4.46 yards) and interception rate (3.46 percent).

Erratic offensive line play hasn’t helped the Jets compete.

Now they must deal with defensive end Myles Garrett, who has 13 of the Browns’ 44 sacks in 2023, and a “high energy” crowd in Cleveland.

“I think the fans are going to bring the energy, I think we’re going to bring the energy,” Browns guard Joel Bitonio said.

–Field Level Media