The New York Jets have “in all probability the worst protection within the league,” in keeping with star defensive deal with Quinnen Williams. They’re hoping a players-only assembly and the return of edge rusher Jermaine Johnson will assist.
Johnson, who missed three video games with an ankle damage, will play Sunday towards the Denver Broncos at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Jets (0-5), the NFL’s solely winless group, are on the lookout for one thing — something — to spark them.
Earlier than leaving for London on Monday evening, the defensive gamers met to debate the problems which have plagued them, Johnson revealed Friday — an indication of a heightened degree of urgency.
“Everyone was on the identical web page,” Johnson instructed reporters in London. “We’ve got to be higher. We won’t be the rationale we lose. That may’t occur. We’ve got an excessive amount of expertise.
“Coach AG (Aaron Glenn) has had our again so far as how he runs this factor, instilling a sure tradition in right here. We’ve got to have his again by placing product on the market. That is our job. We undoubtedly take full accountability.”
The poor play by the protection prompted Williams’ unusually important feedback on Thursday in London, the place he blamed the protection for the 0-5 begin. He isn’t mistaken. The Jets haven’t any takeaways — the primary group in NFL historical past to take an oh-fer in its first 5 video games — they usually’re permitting 31.4 factors per sport. Solely the Baltimore Ravens are giving up extra (35.4).
“We’re 0-5 and the protection has been the issue, the rationale why we’re 0-5,” Williams mentioned.
The Jets’ cross rush has disappeared in latest weeks. After a four-sack efficiency in Week 1, it has recorded solely three sacks within the final 4 video games, together with just one final week towards a depleted Dallas Cowboys offensive line. And that one sack was a give-up play by Dak Prescott.
Veteran defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, in his first season with the Jets, has come beneath hearth. His unit has been tormented by missed tackles, blown coverages and penalties.
“Every part is on me,” he mentioned.
Johnson in all probability shall be rusty as a result of he hasn’t performed loads of soccer. After a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023, which earned him a Professional Bowl spot as an damage substitute, he missed the ultimate 15 video games final season with a torn Achilles. He made it again for this season, however injured an ankle in Week 2.
The Broncos (3-2) shall be an enormous problem for the Jets’ cross rush, as Bo Nix has been sacked solely 5 occasions.
“He does convey an edge to him and he is one other man that may get after the quarterback,” Glenn mentioned of Johnson. “Any time we are able to convey that kind of angle, any time we are able to convey that degree of participant on our group again from damage, it is all the time good.”
Glenn is the primary coach in Jets’ historical past to start his tenure with 5 straight losses. Publicly, he stays undaunted, vowing a turnaround.
“There’s some foundational issues that I see us constructing proper now that nobody else sees,” he mentioned. “And that is OK as a result of all people sees 0-5. However I do know this: That is going to alter and the muse’s going to be secure. We will begin successful and all the pieces shall be simply advantageous.”
In different damage information, kickoff returner Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) was cleared to return after lacking 4 video games. Since his damage, the Jets have used 4 totally different returners, two of whom have been launched (Xavier Gipson and Isaiah Williams) and considered one of whom was injured (Braelon Allen). Williams is again on the follow squad.
