The New York Jets had one turnover during their 34-32 Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it proved costly.
After the game, head coach Aaron Glenn firmly put wide receiver Xavier Gipson on notice for his mistake.
“The one thing to me that turned this game is, man, we can’t have turnovers. Can’t do it,” Coach Glenn told the media on Sunday, September 7. “That is something that will be addressed because you will not be on the field with this team if you’re gonna cause us to lose games if you’re gonna cause issues like that. So we will get that addressed.”
‘The one thing to me that turned this game is man we can’t have turnovers, can’t do it,’ Glenn said. ‘That is something that will be addressed because you will not be on the field with this
The Play That Changed the Entire Jets-Steelers Game
The Jets led 26-24 with 14:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell boomed a 64-yard kick to Gipson, who collected it at the one-yard line.
He returned it 19 yards, but then was met by Pittsburgh running back Kenneth Gainwell, who swiped at the ball, causing a fumble. The Steelers recovered it and immediately made the Jets pay.
Two players later, Aaron Rodgers found Calvin Austin for the 18-yard strike for the score.
Just like that, the Jets went from being up two with possession to being down five (31 to 26) on their heels with 14:07 remaining in the game.
That was the only turnover of the game.
“Well, there was a number of things that happened, but that was like a 14-point swing, if I’m correct. They scored, got the turnover, and they scored again. So, gosh, you just can’t let that happen, to any team, I don’t care who it is. Turnovers, they lose you games. Discipline issues, they lose you games, and those are some things we are going to fix,” Glenn told the media.
Jets Roster Decision Comes Back to Bite Them
As the team approached final roster cuts, one of the big decisions was what to do at the return spot.
There was one roster position available for two eligible players: Gipson or undrafted free agent Jamaal Pritchett.
The Jets ended up choosing Gipson over Pritchett. He was released, cleared waivers, and returned to the team’s practice squad.
“I think he [Pritchett] clearly outplayed Xavier Gipson in the preseason, but the thing is that it’s a punt returning job right now. That is the way that this player is going to get into the game and get on the field,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained on the “Flight Deck” podcast on August 27.
“Do you trust him? Do you trust him to stand back there on opening day with 80,000 people and to catch a punt against the Steelers?” Cimini openly asked about Pritchett. So I think right now they feel more trust with Xavier Gipson back there fielding punts.
Ironically, the guy they trusted more, Gipson, coughed up a costly fumble that played a major role in the Jets starting 0-1 on the season.
Aaron Glenn Puts Jets WR Xavier Gipson on Notice After Costly Fumble