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NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/23

October 17th, 2023 at 9:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: OT Jalen McKenzie
  • Released: WR Malik Flowers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

Patriots Designate CB Jack Jones For Return

October 17th, 2023 at 7:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots defense has been hit hard by injuries, but the team will soon be getting some reinforcement. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, New England has designated cornerback Jack Jones for return from IR.

The 2022 fourth-round pick showed flashes as a rookie, compiling 30 tackles and two interceptions (including a pick-six on Aaron Rodgers). Jones landed on injured reserve late during his rookie campaign thanks to a knee injury, and he was later suspended by the Patriots for undisclosed reasons.

Jones suffered a hamstring injury prior to Week 1 that ultimately required him to be placed on injured reserve. It took more than the minimum four weeks for the cornerback to return to the practice field, and the Patriots will now have 21 days to activate Jones from IR.

Considering New England’s current struggles at the position, the team will likely make that activation sooner than later. Rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez is out for the season after suffering a torn labrum, and promising sophomore Marcus Jones is also on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Making matters worse, veteran Jonathan Jones missed a handful of games and has played through an ankle injury over the past few weeks.

Considering the losses the Patriots have faced at the position, the front office went out and acquired old friend J.C. Jackson from the Chargers. After debuting with the Patriots in Week 5, Jackson played in 96 percent of New England’s defensive snaps in Week 6.

Patriots, Josh Uche Have Not Discussed Extension

October 17th, 2023 at 12:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots’ edge rush contingent was dealt a major blow when Matt Judon suffered a torn bicep which has landed him on IR and threatens to keep him out for the rest of the year. New England has had to rely on Josh Uche as a result, but the latter’s time with the organization could be nearing an end.

Uche and the Patriots have not held talks on a contract extension, reports Henry McKenna of Fox Sports. The 25-year-old is playing out the final year of his rookie contract, meaning he is due to reach free agency in March. Unlike many recent Patriots draftees, Uche has a case to warrant a new deal with New England in large part based on his 2021 production.

The Michigan alum held a rotational role during his first two seasons, and he totaled only four sacks in that span. Only a slight uptick in usage (38% defensive snap share) last year produced a major spike in production, however. Uche racked up 11.5 sacks, 14 QB hits and 25 pressures in 2021, leading to increased expectations for this season and the chance he would become a rare Day 2 selection to earn a second contract from the team.

The last Patriot second-rounder to be retained beyond their rookie pact was Rob Gronkowski, a sign of New England’s struggles developing homegrown playmakers over several years. Uche could have cemented his status as a top financial priority with a strong Year 4 in the league, but he has managed only a pair of sacks so far and one since the season opener. Tackling issues and struggles in coverage have contributed to a PFF grade of 63.2 this year, a major step back from last year’s evaluation.

Sitting at 1-5 and facing major questions about the short- and long-term direction the organization will be headed in, the Patriots could find themselves as sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. Uche could provide at least a depth option for contenders in search of help on the edge, and his age and status as a rental could yield a market for his services. With Judon’s contract set to expire after 2024, though, the Patriots would have incentive to retain Uche on a multi-year pact in the hopes of repeating last season’s success.

The latter has a base salary of just over $1.34MM this year, so a prorated portion of that figure would be easy for an acquiring team to absorb in a trade. If Uche remains in New England for the rest of the season, though, it will be interesting to see what kind of production he can provide and how willing team and player will be to discuss a new contract.

Latest On Patriots, Bill Belichick; Bears Are Potential Landing Spot For Belichick?

October 15th, 2023 at 10:42am CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 15: Like other reporters, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post is not hearing any rumblings that Belichick could be fired in-season. After all, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes, the locker room remains united, and Belichick is showing no outward signs of panic.

Nonetheless, it seems increasingly likely that 2023 will be Belichick’s last season in Foxborough, and that the 71-year-old himself may be ready to move on. If that happens, then Jonathan Kraft, Robert’s son and the club’s team president, reportedly prefers a younger HC who has less control over football operations. Indeed, Belichick’s missteps as the Pats’ de facto GM are well-documented and have played a major role in New England’s post-Brady struggles, and it makes sense that the team would want to begin anew with a more traditional power structure.

A coaching agent that spoke with La Canfora unsurprisingly believes there would be a market for Belichick’s services, and La Canfora names the Bears as a potential landing spot if Chicago should decide to part ways with current HC Matt Eberflus while retaining GM Ryan Poles. Poles entered the NFL’s personnel world as a scouting assistant with the Chiefs under then-GM Scott Pioli, and Pioli worked with Belichick in Cleveland from 1992-95 and in New England from 2000-08.

OCTOBER 11: Sitting at the bottom of the AFC East after two massive blowouts, speculation regarding Bill Belichick‘s job security has picked up again. The Patriots’ head coach and de facto GM appears to face the very serious possibility of finding himself out of his current position by next season.

The relationship between Belichick and owner Robert Kraft has soured during the course of the post-Tom Brady era, one in which the Patriots have made only one playoff appearance and not won a postseason game. Tensions between the two went public over the summer, fueling questions about Kraft’s readiness to authorize a coaching change in the event of continued team struggles.

The opening weeks of 2023 certainly meet that description, and New England now sits at 1-4. As a result, internal tension within the organization has been exacerbated, reports Sportkeeda’s Tony Pauline. The team’s slow start has illustrated roster-building issues which can understandably be attributed to Belichick, who was reported to be on the hot seat before the start of the campaign. Pauline’s sources indicate the 71-year-old is not expected to return for 2024, though a midseason firing would come as a surprise at this point.

That presumed scenario would involve Belichick – who has been in place since 2000 and ranks third on the NFL’s all-time wins list – choosing to step aside and avoid needing to be given a pink slip. His lengthy list of accomplishments has led many to expect he would receive enough leeway to decide his own fate. Especially if the trend of lopsided losses and offensive struggles continues, though, that may not be the case.

Jeff Howe of the The Athletic notes that Kraft is becoming increasingly frustrated with Belichick’s performance and that of the team as a whole (subscription required). Howe adds that New England’s defense has been angered by the comparative poor play of the offense, a unit led by third-year quarterback Mac Jones. The former first-rounder has not succeeded in offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien‘s system as expected, something which has certainly not helped the perceived rift between Jones and Belichick that came to light in the offseason.

Moving on from Belichick at any time, and in any manner, would mark a major move for the Patriots considering their unmatched run of success during his tenure. It seems increasingly likely, however, that the next chapter in the organization’s history will be starting in the short-term future. New England’s ability to rebound from consecutive lopsided defeats (or lack thereof) will certainly be worth watching as it pertains to Belichick’s hot seat status.

Patriots QB Mac Jones On Short Leash

October 15th, 2023 at 8:27am CST by Ben Levine

OCTOBER 15: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms that Jones is indeed on a short leash, and that if he should struggle in the first few series of today’s game against the Raiders, Belichick could pull the plug and insert another quarterback.

Who that quarterback would be, however, is unclear. Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal recently told 98.5 The Sports Hub (as relayed by Karen Guregian of MassLive Sports) that Grier would likely be the next man up if Jones is benched. While Rapoport does not go that far, he does say that Grier and Zappe split reps in practice this week and that, despite Grier’s current status as QB3, the former third-round pick of the Panthers could be the one to get the nod.

It is also worth noting, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes, that Cunningham received increased quarterback reps in practice this week after spending the majority of his pro career to date working on his transition to wideout. That surely does not mean that he would be called upon to replace Jones, but O’Brien believes Cunningham — who was just signed to the active roster — is one of the Pats’ most improved p-squad players. Rapoport adds that the club does have a package installed for the versatile weapon.

OCTOBER 12: Mac Jones and the Patriots offense has struggled mightily this season, especially over the past two weeks. The third-year quarterback has tossed four interceptions, lost a pair of fumbles, and earned two benchings in those two contests, with the offense failing to find the end zone in either of those two losses.

Many have started to question if Jones will continue as the QB1 for the Patriots. While it doesn’t sound like the leash is very long, the Patriots coaching staff made it clear this week that the former first-round pick will be under center this weekend against the Raiders. Coach Bill Belichick told reporters that the team won’t be “making any changes” (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport), while offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said he expects Jones in the lineup on Sunday.

“It’s not about one guy,” O’Brien said when asked about Jones’ struggles (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “He’d be the first to tell you that there’s things that he has to do better, whether it’s obviously take care of the ball, maybe read the route better, or get us into a better play. But it’s a collective effort.”

While Jones is expected to stay in the starting lineup, it sounds like the team is prepared to make a change if needed. Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets that this will be an important week of practice for the starter, and the Patriots will continue to “evaluate every position on the roster.” Following New England’s Week 5 loss to the Saints, Belichick acknowledged that the team was “starting over,” an indication that everyone’s spot on the depth chart would be reconsidered.

Part of the reason the Patriots haven’t already pivoted away from Jones is because of their lack of faith in the organization’s other QBs. As Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald write, 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe has struggled during his second season in the NFL. A source told the Herald that Zappe had a “rough transition to the new offense” under O’Brien, and that ultimately led to the team cutting the quarterback at the end of the preseason.

The other 31 teams passed on Zappe, and he ultimately landed back on the Patriots’ active roster (following a quick stop on the practice squad). The team has since shuffled through multiple options at QB3. Will Grier is the current third option at the position, but even Belichick recently noted how difficult it is for players to climb the depth chart during the season. While rookie Malik Cunningham intrigued during the preseason, the Patriots seem committed to the player’s transition to wide receiver. The lack of alternative options explains why Jones will continue as the starter.

Following a successful rookie season, it’s surprising that the Alabama has taken such a significant step back over the past year-plus. According to the Herald duo, much of the blame has been placed on the organization, as Jones has shuffled through three offensive coordinators, an inconsistent and injury-plagued offensive line, and an underwhelming receivers corps.

However, sources also noted that Jones hasn’t done anything to help his case. The quarterback’s tape is “littered with inexcusable errors,” and while the lack of protection and weapons hasn’t helped, Jones is still making fundamental mistakes. In fact, according to the Herald, some in the organization recognized that Jones wasn’t the guy following the 2022 campaign, but the Patriots hoped the QB wouldn’t be bad enough to sabotage their chances.

“We know Mac isn’t going to win for us. He needs to be comfortable,” a team source told the Herald this summer. “But we think we can win with him. We’ll see.”

The team hasn’t done much winning this season, with their lone victory coming against the Jets. Jones will get another chance at redemption this weekend, but it’s uncertain how much longer he’ll stick atop the depth chart if the offense continues to struggle.

Patriots Place Matt Judon On IR, Activate Tyquan Thornton, Sign Malik Cunningham To Active Roster

October 14th, 2023 at 6:15pm CST by Ely Allen

The Patriots opted for a busy weekend in the personnel office with today’s transactions. They started by activating wide receiver Tyquan Thornton from injured reserve. Unfortunately, this was followed up by the team finally deciding to place star pass rusher Matt Judon on IR, along with recently acquired tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. With a new spare roster spot, New England signed practice squad quarterback Malik Cunningham to the active roster. Finally, the Patriots announced their standard gameday practice squad elevations would be defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms and wide receiver Jalen Reagor.

Let’s start with Thornton. One of the couple of moves here aimed at providing a spark on the offensive side of the ball, bringing back Thornton was a necessity. As JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas deal with injuries, Thornton will come in as a reinforcement to earn targets alongside DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, and Kayshon Boutte. Thornton didn’t quite live up to the high expectations of his draft stock last year as a rookie, but he’s one of the few returning receivers that quarterback Mac Jones worked with last year. He’ll hope to redeem himself a bit in Year 2 with the Patriots.

After multiple reports that he would be out indefinitely, Judon has finally been placed on IR. Based on the team slow-playing that transaction, it was already doubtful that Judon would make a return this season. Now, the earliest he could return from IR would be in Week 10. He’s joined on IR by Wheatley Jr., who was acquired in the trade that sent running back Pierre Strong to Cleveland.

The addition of Cunningham is an interesting move. He has the potential to provide a spark on offense in two ways. New England has worked him out plenty at wide receiver since signing him as an undrafted free agent, but Cunningham surpassed a lot of Lamar Jackson‘s passing marks as a quarterback at Louisville, ranking fourth all-time for passing yards and fifth all-time for passing touchdowns. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Cunningham’s return to the active roster will result in a three-year contract.

This will be Pharm’s third game being called up from the practice squad. He’s gotten a few snaps rotating in on the defensive line in the team’s last two blowout losses. Reagor was called up last week but didn’t actually see the field.

Community Tailgate: Patriots’ Post-Tom Brady Struggles

October 13th, 2023 at 8:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

2023 has seen the Patriots continue to struggle in the years following Tom Brady’s free agent departure in 2020. Offensive shortcomings were foreshadowed in the waning years of the legendary quarterback’s time in New England, but they have dragged the franchise down as the search for a long-term successor is still ongoing.

That effort saw Mac Jones selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, and his rookie performance offered optimism he could deliver consistent play under center. Since then, however, the Alabama product has not met expectations and his status as the team’s undisputed starter remained in question through this past offseason. Tensions between he and head coach Bill Belichick went public, and 2023 was viewed as a potential make-or-break-year for both parties.

The Patriots’ bizarre setup with respect to guiding the offense last season – which saw Matt Patricia and Joe Judge share duties on a less-than-familiar side of the ball – was done away with this spring. The return of OC Bill O’Brien brought about optimism for a rebound from Jones and the rest of the unit, but New England ranks last in the league in points per game and 28th in total offense. Over the past two weeks, their struggles have manifested in undeniable fashion: a 38-3 loss to the Cowboys, followed by a 34-0 defeat at home against the Saints.

At no point during Robert Kraft’s ownership tenure had the Patriots lost two games by 30 or more points in a season, a feat which has now been seen in consecutive weeks. Jones has not been on the field by the end of either contest, but he has received a vote of confidence as the starting signal-caller moving forward. How long of a leash he receives will be a storyline to follow, but the same will hold true for the play of the pass-catching corps around him.

Belichick and the Patriots do not have a stellar record when it comes to identifying high-end receivers in the draft, something which has been made painfully clear without Brady under center. The occasional free agent spending spree – such as the one which produced lucrative deals for tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in 2021 – has not proved to be a useful solution. Mike Gesicki represents the latest investment at the TE spot, albeit on a one-year deal, which has yet to yield notable production.

Whispers about Belichick’s job security started to pick up when Kraft essentially delivered a playoffs-or-bust ultimatum in March. While the latter walked back that sentiment to an extent, it very much remains to be seen if the former will be able to dig New England out of its 1-4 hole. Failure to do so will no doubt lead to plenty of attention aimed at Belichick’s intentions; the 71-year-old is reportedly expected to step aside (voluntarily or otherwise) if the current campaign ends in another lack of postseason success.

Defensive consistency has, to no surprise, been a mainstay for the Patriots across Belichick’s tenure. That unit is in danger of suffering a notable step back in effectiveness this year, however, with both Pro Bowl edge rusher Matt Judon and first-round rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez expected to miss the rest of the campaign. Their losses will be acutely felt as the team is set to rely on its defense given the inability of the offense to consistently put up points.

Gaining ground in a division which features the Dolphins and Bills will be a daunting task given the advantage those teams have in the standings and the issues which threaten to consign the Patriots to what would be a third year out of the four since Brady left without a playoff appearance (the lone exception coming in 2021 which included a 30-point loss in the wild-card round). While that era has seen a continuation of the organization’s brain drain on the sidelines and in the front office, the current situation has led to renewed calls for a large-scale reset.

What do you make of the Patriots’ 2023 performances and the overall trends they underscore? Should Jones and/or Belichick remain in place as the key determinants in future success (or perhaps a lack thereof)? Or would the organization be better suited to move in a fundamentally different direction and begin a new era? Have your say in the comments section below.

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Ramsey, Bills

October 12th, 2023 at 1:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

While this year featured a modest receiver market, the Patriots made an important update to their pass-catching corps by letting Jakobi Meyers walk and replacing him with JuJu Smith-Schuster. Meyers signed a three-year, $33MM deal with the Raiders, and the Patriots added Smith-Schuster for three years and $25.5MM soon after. Guarantee-wise, however, Smith-Schuster’s $16MM matched Meyers’ locked-in sum. The Pats were believed to be unwilling to go to $16MM guaranteed for Meyers, though Bill Belichick said this week (via MassLive.com’s Chris Mason) the former UDFA find was a priority for the team.

Belichick confirmed the sides engaged in discussions, and the legendary HC said the parties were “relatively” close to a deal. At the time, it did not appear these talks were too close to producing a deal; the Pats were believed to be leery of Meyers’ price tag. Meyers’ comments in the wake of Smith-Schuster’s signing suggested he did not view the Patriots as especially eager to bring him back. Meyers has enjoyed a solid start back with Josh McDaniels. The four-year Patriot, despite missing a game due to a concussion, has 25 receptions for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster, who led Chiefs wide receivers in yardage by a wide margin last season, is at 14-86-0 through five games.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • Jalen Ramsey‘s meniscus surgery altered the Dolphins‘ cornerback plans significantly, and a return as late as December entered the equation following the procedure. But the 4-1 team looks to be eyeing a Ramsey return commencing a bit sooner. When asked if he could see Ramsey coming back in November, cornerbacks coach Sam Madison responded in the affirmative. “Yeah, speaking with trainers, he looks really good,” Madison said, via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. “Very hopeful and looking forward to getting him on the field.” This marks the biggest chunk of time Ramsey has missed as a pro. Following his March arrival from Los Angeles, Ramsey agreed to a redone contract that guaranteed his 2024 salary, which will provide security after this abbreviated season.
  • Weeks 4 and 5 gutted the Bills‘ defense. The unit lost its top cornerback, top linebacker and its best interior D-lineman. Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano and DaQuan Jones are each on IR. On that note, ESPN.com’s Graziano offers that the Bills should be expected to look around for defensive help ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. With Von Miller in his age-34 season and Stefon Diggs turning 30 next month, this certainly profiles as a critical season for the Bills — especially on the heels of a one-sided playoff loss. The team has each of its picks in the first five rounds next year and holds three sixth-rounders. Early-season trades point to the Round 6 selections being relevant regarding potential Buffalo additions.
  • The Bills fired COO John Roth and senior VP/general counsel Kathryn D’Angelo for engaging in an inappropriate romantic relationship, The Athletic’s Tim Graham reports (subscription required). Roth, whom the Bills promoted this summer, served as D’Angelo’s superior. This issue surfaced in London. Although D’Angelo joined Roth in reporting to owner Terry Pegula, Graham adds Roth recommended her promotion. Josh Dziurlikowski will serve as the team’s interim COO, per Graham, moving up from senior VP of finance and business administration.
  • In September, the Patriots added $2MM in incentives to Trent Brown‘s contract. Details have emerged, via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss, who notes the adjustment includes $250K in per-game roster bonuses. Seven tiers of playing-time incentives now exist in Brown’s deal, with a $250K payoff in place for hitting each. Brown’s cap number dropped by $375K as well, settling in at $12.21MM. A 2024 void year is now in place, with the Pats set for a $2MM dead-money hit if they do not re-sign Brown before the 2024 league year starts. Brown signed a two-year, $13MM deal in 2022. The veteran tackle, who missed 19 games from 2019-21, has been available for four New England contests this season.

Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton Returns To Practice

October 10th, 2023 at 5:24pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots are in dire need of an offensive spark, and they welcomed back one of their most dynamic weapons on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, receiver Tyquan Thornton returned to practice today. This would signal that the Patriots have started the 21-day clock to activate Thornton from injured reserve.

Thornton suffered a shoulder injury in mid-August that ultimately landed him on injured reserve, keeping him off the field for the first four weeks of the season. There’s been increasing optimism that the former second-round pick could soon return, although he was forced to miss a fifth game before returning to practice. It remains to be seen if Thornton will be in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

Thornton doesn’t have much of a track record, having finished his rookie season with only 22 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns. It’s unrealistic for him to completely turn around the offense, and any excitement surrounding his return is more a reflection of New England’s current offensive struggles.

The Patriots offense hasn’t found the end zone since Week 3, with Mac Jones tossing four interceptions over the past two games. Many of the offense’s issues can be directly attributed to Jones, and the underwhelming offensive play-calling has also come under fire (despite the return of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien). Still, even if things were clicking, no one would be overly enthusiastic about New England’s receiving depth.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has averaged 17 yards per game since coming over to New England during the offseason. DeVante Parker has been limited to only 668 yards in 15 games with the Patriots (including four appearances this season), and tight end Mike Gesicki has 12 catches through his first five games with the organization. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight end Hunter Henry currently lead the team in receiving, and the team has even leaned on rookie sixth-round pick Demario Douglas for a chunk of snaps.

In other words, the Patriots’ current crop of receiving options haven’t done anything to separate themselves from the pack. The Patriots will likely continue to roll with their committee approach, but there’s at least an opportunity for Thornton to establish himself as the WR1.

AFC East Rumors: Jones, Jackson, Jets

October 8th, 2023 at 7:57pm CST by Ely Allen

The NFL’s franchise in New England had been spoiled with their consistency at the quarterback position over the 20-year reign of Tom Brady. This season, though, many are wondering if Brady’s eventual successor, Mac Jones, has what it takes to retain his seat atop the depth chart. According to several different sources, his starting job as the Patriots‘ quarterback is safe for now.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was the first to report this morning that the Patriots would be sticking with Jones at quarterback for today’s game against the Saints and that “no change was imminent.” He did mention that second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe, who got about a quarter of the team’s offensive snaps is last week’s blowout loss to the Cowboys, got more practice snaps than usual throughout the week.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated detailed that a lot of the struggles seen with Jones last week were things that have been noticed at practice in New England. He asserts that Jones still has a bit of leeway with the coaching staff, but Jones is going to need to remedy those issues in order to keep it that way.

Even after another blowout loss today that saw Jones pulled from the game in the fourth quarter, head coach Bill Belichick confirmed that Jones will remain the team’s starter, according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports. Belichick reportedly said that “the team will be ‘starting over’ as they move toward next Sunday’s game against the Raiders, but the new start won’t include a new” starter.

Here are a few other rumors out of the AFC East, starting with a new familiar face who recently returned to Massachusetts:

  • Recent trade acquisition from the Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson was once a prized free agent addition in Los Angeles after his original stint with the Patriots. But things this year deteriorated to the point that Jackson, who was a healthy scratch for the Chargers in Week 3, was asked to enter the game to fill in for an injured Michael Davis, and he refused to do so, per a joint report from Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Jackson, who had already sustained a serious injury during his time in Los Angeles, knew he had no future with the team and didn’t feel comfortable risking further injury. Additionally, the arrest warrant issued for Jackson in late September for reckless driving has reportedly been lifted, according to David Linton of The Sun Chronicle. Jackson paid the fine and agreed to probation in order to avoid arrest.
  • Along with Aaron Rodgers‘ former Green Bay teammates, wide receiver Mecole Hardman was considered a big addition to the Jets‘ receiving corps in the offseason. And despite his once prominent role on the perennial contender in Kansas City, Hardman has been a non-factor in the first five weeks of the season, including his status as a healthy scratch today. Hardman voiced his frustration to ESPN’s Rich Cimini saying, “I’m probably the best in the league in space. Maybe (the coaches) see something different. I’m just waiting for the opportunity to present itself. I think when I was in K.C., I proved that I was probably the most dangerous guy on the jet sweep, or whether it be on the end-around or on the screen, I think I proved year-out that I was that guy you had to worry about doing that.”
  • Sticking with the Jets, many expected a change to the composition of the quarterbacks room coming into the week. Cimini relayed head coach Robert Saleh‘s assessment that the room was “status quo” today. Tim Boyle remained as Zach Wilson‘s primary backup, while Trevor Siemian stayed down on the practice squad today.
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