The New York Jets’ 2024 season continues to spiral downward, with their latest loss adding another layer of frustration. As the team grapples with their offensive struggles, players and coaches alike are pointing fingers at themselves, searching for answers in a season that promised so much but has delivered so little.

On October 20, 2024, the Jets suffered a crushing 37-15 defeat to the Steelers, dropping their record to a dismal 2-5. This loss came just days after the team made a desperate move, trading for star receiver Davante Adams. But as Jets owner Woody Johnson’s bold proclamation at last week’s NFL owners meeting fades into memory, the team finds itself grappling with a harsh reality.

Breece Hall, the Jets’ dynamic running back, didn’t sugarcoat the team’s struggles in his post-game interview with Jeane Coakley. “Taking our layups,” Hall explained, pinpointing the root of their offensive woes.

“I feel like we just shoot ourselves in the foot sometimes with the easiest stuff.” You could hear the frustration in Hall’s voice. He knows what this offense is capable of. But for every step forward, the Jets seem to take two steps back.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich looked like he’d aged a decade when he stepped to the podium. “That game, especially that second half… that’s not who this team is,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not good enough. And that starts with me.” Even the team’s prized offseason acquisition, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, couldn’t escape the wave of self-criticism. In a terse post-game statement reported by Connor Hughes on X, Rodgers admitted, “I gotta play better.” It’s a stark admission from a four-time MVP who was brought in to be the Jets‘ savior.

Where do the Jets go from here?

Just a week ago, Ulbrich made waves by demoting offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. It was a gutsy move, considering Hackett’s tight bond with Rodgers. But something had to give. The Jets’ offense has been spinning its wheels all season, ranked 27th in yards per game.

Enter Todd Downing, the new play-caller. His first game? Not exactly a rousing success. The Jets managed a measly 15 points against a Steelers defense that’s been far from dominant this year. It’s been a Murphy’s Law kind of season for the Jets. Everything that could go wrong, has. They’re 2-5, dead last in the AFC East. The playoffs? That ship might’ve already sailed. But there’s still a flicker of hope in the Jets’ locker room.

Hall’s 57-yard burst showed what this offense can do when it’s clicking. Rodgers, for all his struggles, is still Aaron Freaking Rodgers. If they can just stop tripping over their own feet, who knows? As the Jets lick their wounds and prep for next week, one question looms large: Can they stop shooting themselves in the foot and start hitting those layups? The answer might just determine whether this season ends up being a footnote or a turning point for a franchise desperate for success.

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