The 2023 NFL season became the New York Jets‘ nightmare scenario just four offensive snaps into Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
That’s when Gang Green’s anointed savior, Aaron Rodgers, tore his Achilles tendon, sending the Jets’ plans to end the longest postseason drought in professional North American sports (MLB, NBA,NHL, NFL) into a tailspin. That streak was extended to 13 consecutive seasons (the Jets’ last playoff appearance came in the 2010 season) after New York ended up starting four different quarterbacks, including Rodgers’ one start, in their 7-10 campaign. The other three were the team’s second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson (11 starts), longtime Rodgers’ backup from Green Bay Tim Boyle (two starts) and journeyman Trevor Siemian (three starts).
Before the season started, the plan was for Wilson to learn for a few years under Rodgers and then take over, like Jordan Love has done with the Packers. However, Wilson’s performance over the last three years is a far cry from what Love did in 2023, when he threw the second-most touchdown passes in the regular season (32) and helped lead his team to a playoff victory.
Wilson’s 57% completion percentage, 23-25 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 73.2 passer rating in the span of his NFL career since 2021 all rank dead last in the league among 38 qualified quarterbacks across the last three seasons. As a result of Wilson’s poor play and the rotating door at the game’s most important position, the Jets scored 18 offensive touchdowns on 2023, the fewest in the NFL. That total also ranks as the fewest since 2-14 Kansas City Chiefs‘ total of 17 in the 2012 season. The Chiefs then went into 2013 with the first overall draft pick and selected left tackle Eric Fisher.
Jets ranking on offense in 2023
|
PPG |
15.8 |
29th |
|
Total YPG |
268.6 |
31st |
|
3rd Down Pct |
32% |
Last |
|
Red Zone TD Pct |
26% |
Last |
|
Offensive TD |
18* |
Last* |
* Fewest offensive TD by any team since 2012 Chiefs (17)
However, there were some bright spots that allowed the 2023 Jets to win five more game than the 2012 Chiefs. Second-year running back Breece Hall bounced back from a torn ACL as a rookie to have the fourth-most scrimmage yards (1,585) in the NFL last season, ranking as the most by a Jet since Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin’s 1,942 back in the 2004 season. Hall paced the league in scrimmage yards (507) and co-led the NFL in touchdowns (four) across the final three…
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