The New York Jets got embarrassed during their 30-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
However, a lone bright spot came with 3:28 remaining in the game. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor found tight end Jeremy Ruckert for a five-yard touchdown.
It was inconsequential in terms of deciding the winner, but it was the first touchdown of Ruckert’s NFL career.
Jeremy Ruckert’s dad, Bill, took to social media to share a passionate post about his son’s score.
“I know this is a bad game for this to happen. We all want it to be the game winning touchdown. And personally all you HATERS out there I don’t give a [expletive]. My son caught a touchdown for my NEW YORK JETS!!! NO F’N WORDS!!!,” Bill Ruckert posted as a caption with a photo of his son from draft night when he was picked by the Jets.
NO F’N WORDS!!!
Jeremy Speaks on His First Career Touchdown in Bills’ Loss
“I’d rather it had been in a different circumstance and a better outcome, but it just felt good to be out there and play until the end of the game. Like I’ve said to a few other people, every time you step on that field in this league is a blessing, and regardless of the score, you have to play in a certain way. What you put on tape is who you are, so having a sense of pride of where you come from and what you stand for is how you play and what others see when they watch your film,” Ruckert explained to the media on Monday, September 16.
“Obviously, we have a lot of things that we need to clean up, that is not the brand of football that we want to play, but whether you’re up 30 or down 30, how you play every single snap and the effort you show is who you are in this league. I got a sense of pride in that and would love to keep building on it and hopefully have better outcomes down the road,” Ruckert said.
Ruckert Is Finally Turning It Around
The former Ohio State product entered the league as the No. 101 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Ruckert had so much promise and untapped potential that the Jets believed they could unlock it at this level. Through the first three years of his career, it just didn’t happen.
Ruckert, 25, during that stretch registered 35 receptions for 264 receiving yards. He did not score a touchdown through his first three years in the NFL.
Through the first two games of this season, it seems like things have started to click for Ruckert. The stats won’t wow you: three receptions for 21 receiving yards and a touchdown, but he has just been involved and engaged on the offensive side of the ball.
What Is Finally Working for Ruckert?
Is it the fire under his keister motivating him? Ruckert is in a contract year in 2025 and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Perhaps it’s familiarity. Ruckert played his college ball at Ohio State. In 2025, he has reunited with his old college quarterback, Justin Fields. They have an innate chemistry from working together previously.
Or maybe it’s the new coaching staff. Sometimes it just takes the right coaches to get the most out of the players they are working with.
Regardless of the reason, the rest of this season serves as a Ruckert audition whether that be for the Jets or one of the other 31 teams in the NFL.
Father of Jets Draft Pick Goes on Expletive Filled Rant After Loss