Getty New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh meeting with his players after a good defensive drive.
The New York Jets came crashing back down to earth after their 27-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
During the blowout, things got pretty feisty on the sideline. Former first-rounder Quinnen Williams was caught on the CBS television broadcast screaming at defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton.
The Jets big man had to be held back by teammates during the exchange:
#Jets Quinnen Williams & DL coach Aaron Whitecotton got in into a yelling match on the sideline. Had to be separated.
First time I’ve seen Quinnen explode like that: 🎥 @NFLonCBS #TakeFlight #CINvsNYJ #Bengals #RuleTheJungle
Robert Saleh Provides Clarity on the Quinnen Williams Situation
That sideline exchange was captured moments after the Jets sent the house on a third and seven call from the Bengals’ 44-yard line.
Joe Burrow found wide receiver, Tyler Boyd, across the middle for what appeared to be a 10-yard gain but it became much more than that.
Cornerback Michael Carter II was in coverage and safety Jordan Whitehead came up to make the massive tackle after the catch, but he didn’t wrap up.
Boyd bounced off the tackle attempt and took it 56 yards to the house for the touchdown.
Cincinnati went up 14-6 after the play and head coach Robert Saleh said in the postgame presser that play was the reason for the explosive conversation:
“We sent a pressure which led to that 60-yard touchdown. Quinnen is a competitor, he was challenging for a four-man rush. He just wanted to rush four [in that situation] so he could get an opportunity to win his one-on-one. So I love the fire, I love all of it, obviously, we don’t need them jawing at each other but he’s being competitive so he was fine.”
Saleh was then asked for some more clarification on the situation by the media:
“He was challenging us as coaches to give him his four-man rush so he can go win his one-on-one. Which deservedly he’s not wrong. Challenge us and … he’s fine.”
A Massive Jets Problem That Has to Get Fixed
Regardless of who is in the right between player and coach, there is one thing we can agree on, there is a massive problem on 1 Jets Drive.
Through the first three weeks of the season, the green and white have collected a grand total of five sacks.
With all of the investments on the defensive line with high-level draft picks and free agent dollars these results are unacceptable.
On top of that, the scheme is solely built around the ability to create pressure up front. If they can’t do that then this could end up being a very long season for the green and white.
The Jets have absolutely no excuse. They were facing one of the worst offensive lines, if not the worst in football, and yet they couldn’t do diddly.
Gang Green is screwed if they can’t create pressure and whether it was a traditional four-man rush or an exotic blitz scheme the results were the same: non-existent.
Fortunately, we are only three weeks into the 2022 season and the Jets are praying that this pass rush will get better as the season progresses. They are going to need it to because the quality play of the cornerbacks is being wasted so far.