The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention, a disappointing end to what had begun as an encouraging season. Much of the blame for the team’s struggles down the stretch of been placed on their offense, but a shakeup on the sidelines affecting the unit does not appear likely. 
When speaking to the media, head coach Robert Saleh expressed his support of offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. The latter has been at the helm of New York’s offense since 2021, joining the staff at the same time as Saleh. That tenure began with an underwhelming performance across the board on offense, but expectations were raised considerably in light of the organization’s offseason moves.
Those included, among others, the additions of wideout Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall in the draft to go along with a second season of quarterback Zach Wilson under center. The latter has struggled immensely this year, though, missing time at the start of the season and being benched in favor of Mike White on multiple occasions. The 2021 second overall pick’s future in the Big Apple has been called into question, though Saleh recently backed the possibility of a continued relationship with him.
In addition to Wilson, LaFleur has reportedly been on thin ice given the Jets’ inability to consistently produce on offense in recent weeks in particular. During the team’s current five-game losing streak, they have averaged only 12 points per game and have not found the endzone since Week 15. Wilson’s marked lack of improvement, along with injuries to Hall and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker offer at least a partial explanation for the unit’s struggles, but LaFleur has drawn sharp criticism in light of New York’s elite rankings in several defensive categories.
Saleh said, via ESPN’s Rich Cimini, that the Jets are partway through “a commitment to go young everywhere – coaches, players, staff, everybody. It’s so important to take a deep breath… and make sure we’re telling ourselves the truth rather than allowing narrative and panic to set in.”
He cited his own history as the former 49ers DC, along with the success a number of players have had after departing New York, as reason to remain patient even after the disappointment of recent weeks and months. Saleh, LaFleur and the Jets will be the subject of plenty of scrutiny this offseason as they look to take another step forward in 2023.
I don’t think LaFleur has been perfect by any stretch, but it would be ridiculous to oust him based on this year. He simply hasn’t had a starting caliber NFL QB to work with, and the offensive line has been battered beyond recognition. They have one tackle who’s played in more than 7 games this year, and it’s the 37-year old they signed in August, who’s missed several games with injury.
Give LaFleur even a solid starting QB option and any stability on the OL before scapegoating him. I highly doubt he gets the boot.
It be a stupid move to even think he should get fired . He can’t be the scapegoat for the fails of Zach Wilson . At this rate do we even think any coaching can save him ? He did his best with what he had to work with
It’s possible Wilson could still be something, I guess, but his footwork and processing need total rebuilds, and that’s before taking into account how disastrously he responds to pressure.
Highly coveted vote of confidence before the axe.
Perhaps they’ll give him a real QB next year.
There nothing wrong with the coaching staff. It a young team that no one expect to do this well. If they get more weapons on offense and better QB play. They be a playoff team in no time .
Have you seen the Jets the last 2 weeks? Their defense has been getting chewed up early and often. In Seattle the Jets gave up a 60-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and a TD pass on the third play. Their first drive ended with an INT that led to a field goal. Before you knew it, they were down 10-0.
And people who should know better keep saying “it’s all about the QB”.
Look, I am by no means suggesting the defense is flawless, but when one unit has surrendered the 4th fewest points and the other has scored the 5th fewest, I tend to put more blame on the latter for the team’s failure as a whole
It a young team with talent . No one saying the defense is perfect but it a huge part to why the jets were even in playoff contention. A defense can only do so much if the offense can’t back them up .
LaFleur’s play calling has ranged from predictable to brilliant (somewhat similar to Zach Wilson’s play). I think the real culprit has been the O-Line (and no I don’t think Joe Douglas failed us. our roster was a dumpster fire when Joe D got here and everyone knew it would take 3 or 4 seasons to get enough talent in here to have depth to compete). We lost Becton, Vera-Tucker, Max Mitchell and others this season. The 2nd half of the season the O-Line went from OK to putrid. Joe Douglas needs to spend his 1st two draft picks on the O-line. (I would love to get Broderick Jones & Oluwatimi in the draft. love their nastiness). Fix the OLine and it helps fix the run game and passing game.
I don’t know why all the hate for the OC the jets are having their best season in probably 25 years
LaFleur has looked very good at times, and predictable at others. But watching Mike White come in and execute the offense (mostly well) on short notice makes me think that LaFleur was more adapting to Zach Wilson than holding him back.
The offense still made quite a few mental mistakes with White-not being the same page with receivers, missing blocking assignments, or a few bad or missed reads come to mind-but none of that looked unsolvable. Most of those mistakes seemed to be the results of a lack of experience or cohesion as a working unit. It is astonishing to say, but White certainly looked at many times to be a starting caliber quarterback who lacked starting experience. He and LaFleur appeared to work well together. No matter who starts at QB, however, the offense as a whole has several young starters at critical positions as is (along the line, HBs, and WRs). Experience is what will help the Jets the most, no matter who the QB is.
There are so many holes on that roster it’s silly to throw any of the coaching staff under the bus at this point. Too many injuries on the oline and the defense has struggled lately, and their QB hasn’t shown much improvement from last year.